World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka had to work hard to beat Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Despite delicate playing conditions, the Belarusian was able to keep her composure to win in 3 contested sets and validate her ticket to the last four. Will she manage to win a historic third consecutive title in Melbourne?
Under the blazing Melbourne sun, the long-awaited duel between Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova kept all its promises. The Belarusian world number 1, double title holder, had to pull out all the stops to dismiss the tough Russian in 3 hard-fought sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, after almost 2 hours of fighting.
Sabalenka put to the test
Despite a great start to the game and a first set completed in 31 minutes, Aryna Sabalenka was then jostled by a very inspired Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 32nd player in the world, a former top 10 player, took advantage of a drop in her opponent’s pace and playing conditions made difficult by the wind to get back to a round everywhere, not without having broken the world number 1 twice in the second act.
A mind of steel in hot times
Sabalenka, however, was able to raise her level of play in the deciding set to repel the Pavlyuchenkova threat. Hindered by the gusts of wind and put under pressure, the Belarusian used her experience and her composure to break at the best moment and fly to victory. A trying but valuable success for the one who is aiming for a third coronation in a row in the Australian major.
I knew it would be a complicated match. I remained focused and patient during important moments. I’m proud that I managed to keep calm and get through it.
-Aryna Sabalenka
Heading for the semi-finals, Badosa there
Determined in her quest for a third consecutive Australian crown, a feat that only the legendary Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis have achieved before her in the Open Era, Sabalenka will face Spain’s Paula in the semi-final Badosa, who defeated the Czech Karolina Muchova a little earlier. A clash at the top between the world numbers 1 and 4 that tennis fans are impatiently awaiting.
Despite the pitfalls, Aryna Sabalenka continues to move forward with determined steps towards the summits in Melbourne. After dismissing the threat of Pavlyuchenkova at the end of a tight quarter-final, the world number 1 is only two victories away from a fantastic hat-trick at the Australian Open. But the competition promises to be tough, starting with Paula Badosa, her next opponent. The Belarusian has been warned, the road is still long. But with her mind of steel and her devastating game, she has the weapons to make history a little more.
