Elena Rybakina says she will need some "magic" if she is to go deep at the Australian Open after struggling with a back problem in her third-round win.

Sixth seed Rybakina, runner-up at Melbourne Park two years ago, beat Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-4 but needed a medical timeout after just three games.

The 25-year-old Kazakh was visibly struggling to move and needed seven match points to close out victory.

Asked afterwards if her back was OK, Rybakina replied: "Not really. I will see my physio and hopefully he does some magic.

"It's not so good since it's [my] lower back. Hopefully we can do everything possible.

"But for now it doesn't seem too good, to be honest."

Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina had a number of injury problems in 2024, struggling at various points with fatigue, illness and a back issue.

Against Yastremska, Rybakina tried to shorten the rallies and hit winners in an attempt to speed up the match - helped in part by 37 unforced errors from her opponent.

"I needed to stay there and try to hold my serve," Rybakina said.

"I knew that it would be very difficult for me to stay long in the rally so I was trying sometimes risk a little bit more."

Rybakina will face either Danielle Collins or Madison Keys, who play later on Saturday, in the fourth round on Monday.