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Sabalenka, a beaten finalist in the 2024 edition to Iga Swiatek, needed just one hour and 24 minutes to advance to the third round with a 6-2 6-3 win.

But it was Krejcikova who opened the match brighter as she broke Sabalenka in the first game, only for the No.1 seed to return the favour immediately.

That early wobble seemed to be the wake-up call that Sabalenka needed, as she reeled off the final four games with the minimum of fuss to edge closer to the next round.

After missing the chance to get the better of Krejcikova's serve in the second game, Sabalenka did not repeat the trick in the fourth game as she quickly raced into a 4-1 lead.

Krejcikova bravely fought on, but she could only delay the inevitable as Sabalenka confirmed a date with Sorana Cirstea with a blistering serve that her opponent returned wide.