MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka’s pursuit of a third consecutive Australian Open title is still alive after she triumphed over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a challenging quarterfinal match on Tuesday night.
As the top-ranked player, Sabalenka extended her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 19 matches and will now face her close friend, Paula Badosa, who is seeded 11th, in the semifinals scheduled for Thursday.
Sabalenka initially appeared to be in control, having won the opening set and boasting a remarkable set streak of 25 that dates back to the final in 2023. However, the strong winds at Rod Laver Arena made it difficult for her to maintain her powerful strokes throughout the match. It wasn’t until late in the third set, with the score at 3-all, that she found her rhythm, taking the last three games to secure her victory. “Honestly,” she later admitted, “I was just praying.”
Having won her first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park in 2023 and followed it up with victories in last year’s Australian Open and the U.S. Open, Sabalenka has the opportunity to make history by joining Martina Hingis, the last woman to win the Australian Open three years in a row from 1997 to 1999.
In the earlier quarterfinal match, Badosa achieved a surprising victory over No. 3 Coco Gauff, winning 7-5, 6-4. However, the significance of Pavlyuchenkova defeating Sabalenka would have been markedly greater. For a time, especially during the second set and early in the third, it appeared that Pavlyuchenkova might indeed secure the upset. Ultimately, though, she fell to a disheartening record of 1-8 in Grand Slam quarterfinals, with an even more disappointing 0-4 at the Australian Open.
Pavlyuchenkova’s near-upset came from her effective handling of Sabalenka’s powerful serves. She took time to find her groove, but once she did, her returns became precise and deep, turning the momentum in her favor. After Sabalenka had successfully held her service in the first set, she faltered, losing five out of the next six service games in a remarkable shift.
Pavlyuchenkova demonstrated her skill as well, matching Sabalenka’s groundstrokes and exhibiting notable volleying prowess, winning eight of the first nine points she contested at the net. Even a seemingly accidental volley found its way in, prompting a wry smile from her as the match progressed.
As the competition tightened, Sabalenka’s frustration became palpable; her characteristic grunts and post-point yells grew louder. After being broken early in the third set and trailing, she momentarily slammed her racket against the court surface. Nevertheless, she managed to regain composure and look forward to the upcoming match, aiming to secure another spot in the final.
