Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka showcased her resilience and determination as she advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open, defeating Russia's 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a hard-fought match that ended 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Sabalenka's quest for a third consecutive title at Melbourne Park gained significant momentum with this victory.
The top seed faced challenging conditions, including gusty winds and a formidable opponent, which tested her abilities from the outset. \"Honestly, I was just praying today. I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions,\" Sabalenka reflected after the match. \"We both were trying to put the ball back. It was very difficult to play. She played amazing tennis, aggressive. I'm super happy I was able to somehow magically win this match.\"
In the opening set, after three straightforward service games, Sabalenka demonstrated the versatility she has added to her game. She executed a deft drop shot from deep to earn break points, converting them with a powerful backhand. Pavlyuchenkova attempted to claw her way back in the following game but found herself trailing 4-1 after hitting into the net.
The match also featured a contrast in personal symbols, with Pavlyuchenkova sporting a \"MEOW\" tattoo on her leg, while Sabalenka bears a tiger tattoo on her arm. \"I was born in the year of the tiger and I literally dreamt for six months about getting a tiger tattoo,\" Sabalenka explained. \"After six months of this crazy dream, I was like 'you know what, I have to go and get it done' and now, it's a reminder to never give up and just stay aggressive, stay hungry, and push yourself no matter what's going on in your life.\"
Sabalenka secured the first set with a running crosscourt winner. However, the momentum shifted in the second set as Pavlyuchenkova showcased her own arsenal of powerful shots. Sabalenka missed early break opportunities and lost her serve twice, allowing Pavlyuchenkova to level the match. Frustrated, Sabalenka splashed cold water on her face after falling behind 4-1, but despite pulling one break back with a sliced winner, she couldn't prevent the match from going to a deciding third set.
The final set saw a series of breaks of serve before Sabalenka steadied herself, holding serve to lead 3-2. She then broke Pavlyuchenkova again to go up 5-3, and confidently served out the match to secure her place in the semifinals, where she will face her close friend Paula Badosa.
\"Sometimes maybe it's good to have these tough battles, to go through it, to be tougher for the last stages of the tournament,\" Sabalenka said about the challenging match. \"I wish I would win this match in straight sets but it is how it is. I'm glad I'm in the semis and I cannot wait to play against Paula.\"
Reference(s):
Sabalenka sees off Pavlyuchenkova to reach Australian Open semifinals
cgtn.com
