Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka fights past Pavlyuchenkova to book semi-final berth

Australian Open 2025: World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka kept alive her hopes of defending her crown at Melbourne Park after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a thrilling three-setter in the quarterfinal.

In Short

• Aryna Sabalenka beats Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
• Aryna Sabalenka won the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
• Sabalenka will next face Paula Badosa in the semis

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka made her way into the semi-final of the Australian Open 2025 women’s singles after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinal. On Tuesday, January 21, the Belarusian won 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena. The 26-year-old qualified for her 10th straight Grand Slam semi-final in a quest to defend her crown at Melbourne Park.

Having won 19 matches on the trot in the hard court major, Sabalenka has looked in ominous form. Sabalenka will next be up against Spain’s Paula Badosa, who will take part in her maiden Grand Slam semi-final. Badosa will be brimming with confidence after knocking out US Open 2023 champion Coco Gauff with a straight set win over the American in the quarterfinal.

Sabalenka and Badosa are best friends, popularly known as ‘Sabadosa’ for their friendship and camaraderie. But in the battle of best friends, it is Sabalenka who has had the upper hand with a significant 5-2 lead.

Aryna Sabalenka shows nerves of steel

Sabalenka romped past Pavlyuchenkova in the first set with two breaks of serve, not allowing her Russian opponent a single chance to break. Sabalenka made a couple of double faults and a win percentage of 50 from his second serves, but she triumphed with 10 winners.

Australian Open 2025 Day 5 Updates

Pavlyuchenkova, however, made a stupendous comeback in the second set, putting the pressure right back on Sabalenka. She dropped her serve once, but made sure of getting a double break. The third and final set turned out to be a roller-coaster as both Sabalenka and Pavlyuchenkova had their share of joys.

Pavlyuchenkova carried on from where she left off, going 1-0 up early with an early break of serve. Sabalenka earned the break back, but Pavlyuchenkova made amends with her second service break. But yet again, Sabalenka got the break back after which she did not look back.

In the eight game, she earned her third break of the set to drill the final nail in the coffin. Overall, Sabalenka made 27 unforced errors, but made up for them with 29 winners. Sabalenka is looking to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997-99 to win three Australian Open titles on the trot.