Aryna Sabalenka reveals Polaroid project after racing into Australian Open quarterfinals

If a picture is worth 1000 words, it can easily sum up the 62 minutes Aryna Sabalenka spent winning an 18th straight match at the Australian Open.

The two-time defending champion made quick work of rival Mirra Andreeva, defeating the No. 14 seed, 6-1, 6-2 to reach a third consecutive quarterfinal on Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka commemorated the moment as she had throughout the first week, by snapping a polaroid with an honest-to-goodness camera—not an iPhone in sight!—later revealing the pics are part of an art installation she is creating alongside partner Georgios Frangulis.

“My boyfriend and I came up with the idea that throughout the year, we’d collect polaroid pictures and frame them,” she explained on-court to Casey Dellacqua. “I hope we have a lot of cool moments this year to collect, and we’re going to have cool pieces of art to put up in the house!”

Given her picture-perfect performance against Andreeva, the world No. 1 couldn’t have picked a better medium. After battling through a tough two-setter against ASB Classic champion Clara Tauson in the third round, she was much more in focus against Andreeva, whom she’d beaten two weeks ago en route to the Brisbane International title but had lost to last spring at Roland Garros.

“It’s always tough matches against Mirra. She’s so young but so mature and playing such great tennis,” she said. “It’s always tough battles against her, and I’m super happy to get through this difficult match in straight sets.”

Showing her strength on the what has quickly become her signature court, Sabalenka struck 15 winners to just 11 unforced errors and broke serve four times in two sets.

The toughest moment came when Andreeva held three break points that would have leveled the second set at three games apiece. Sabalenka saved all three and raced to victory from there, booking a last-eight meeting against either No. 18 seed Donna Vekic or No. 27 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

While noting the heavy conditions against Tauson, Sabalenka was far more at ease against Andreeva, optimistic that the Melbourne heat will quicken things just enough to help her win a third straight Australian Open title.

“Today on the court, I was just trying to put the ball back and the ball was flying like a rocket!” she exclaimed.

Sabalenka also had the chance to shout out numerous super fans in the crowd, who came to the Happy Slam wearing Tiger-themed garb in tribute to The Girl with the Tiger Tattoo.

“I think my whole life, I wanted to be an inspiration for the next generation, to be a good example of a hard worker and a fighter. I wanted to inspire, maybe not only the next generation but also help people get through tough moments.

“I hope they look at me, see my example, and how tough I had to battle through some of my challenges. I hope they take it as a good example as they go through their own challenges.”

Three challenges stand between Sabalenka and history, where she could become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-1999) to win a hat trick of Australian Open trophies. Now that would be a Kodak moment.