Sabalenka tops Bencic for her first QF spot in Australian

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — No. 5-seeded Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time. Bencic double-faulted to drop the first set, which put Sabalenka in control from that point. No. 4 Caroline Garcia faced Magda Linette later Monday for the final place in the women’s quarterfinals. Garcia reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open last season but has never reached the quarterfinals in Australia. Top-seeded Iga Swiatek and No. 2 Ons Jabeur have  been eliminated, leaving No. 3 Jessica Pegula as the highest ranked woman through to the final eight.