Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka fought her way to the semifinals of the Australian Open after a hard-fought victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, extended her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 19 matches and is now set to face her close friend, Paula Badosa, in the next round.
Sabalenka, who had won the previous two Australian Open titles, faced a tough challenge from Pavlyuchenkova, losing the first set before rallying to win the next two sets. Despite facing difficulties in controlling her powerful shots in the windy conditions, Sabalenka managed to secure the victory by winning the last three games of the match.
If Sabalenka wins the tournament, she will become the first woman since Martina Hingis in the late 1990s to clinch three consecutive Australian Open titles.
In the other quarterfinal match, Badosa caused an upset by defeating Coco Gauff in straight sets. Pavlyuchenkova, on the other hand, fell short once again in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, dropping to a 1-8 record in such matches.
Pavlyuchenkova's strong performance against Sabalenka was attributed to her ability to handle the top seed's serves and deliver deep returns. Despite the loss, Pavlyuchenkova showcased her skills with powerful groundstrokes and effective volleying throughout the match.
Sabalenka's frustration was evident at times during the match, but she managed to regain her composure and secure the win, setting up a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Badosa.
With her eyes set on a third consecutive Australian Open title, Sabalenka will look to continue her impressive form in the upcoming rounds as she aims to add another Grand Slam trophy to her collection.
