Aryna Sabalenka kept her title defence alive, surviving a scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the Australian Open semi-finals. The world number one admitted she was “all over the place” during the match.
Sabalenka, bidding for a third straight Melbourne title, dominated the first set 6-2. However, Pavlyuchenkova fought back, sweeping the second set 6-2 and breaking early in the decider.
The Belarusian kept her cool to fight back and secure a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win. This was Sabalenka’s first dropped set at the Australian Open since the 2023 final.
Sabalenka is attempting to become the first woman since Martina Hingis 26 years ago to complete a ‘three-peat’ at the hard-court Grand Slam. She will face Paula Badosa in the semi-finals, who stunned third seed Coco Gauff earlier on Tuesday.
The top seed expressed her excitement to face her friend Badosa, saying she “can’t wait” for the match. The semi-final clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world’s top players.
