Aryna Sabalenka overcomes multiple third-set deficits to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Australian Open quarterfinal – Open 6ème Sens

Trailing by a set and a point, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova fired a forehand and the ball found the net. Then, behind two-time reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, 6-2, 30-0, it appeared Pavlyuchenkova’s body could connect with the court.

Instead of an explosive racquet smash, the 27^th seed always so gently placed his gun Wilson on the hard ground below. It barely made a sound.

“That was the nicest, most polite racquet throw I’ve ever seen,” Andrea Petkovic said with a smile. (Seeing is believing, below.)