By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were at their dazzling best on a warm but windy Friday at Melbourne Park.

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, plays a backhand return to Rebecca Sramkova, of Slovakia, during their second round match at the Australian Open on Thursday in Melbourne.

The AO is something that connects really well with New Balance because the mix of sport and culture they have is incredible,” Evan Zeder, New Balance director of global sports marketing for tennis, tells me.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka shrugged off a shaky display to fight her way into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 7-6(5) 6-4 victory over Clara Tauson on Friday. Novak Djokovic resumes his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title and 11th at Melbourne Park later in the day and Carlos Alcaraz,