MELBOURNE, Jan 23 (Reuters) - ‌World number one Aryna Sabalenka passed her first major test ‌of the Australian Open on Friday, fending off a serious challenge ‌from Anastasia Potapova to reach the fourth round with a tense 7-6(4) 7-6(7) win.

At a Grand Slam spiked with geopolitical tension, Potapova played for Austria after a recent nationality switch ‍from Russia, and represented the central European ‍nation with distinction in the early ‌match at Rod Laver Arena.