Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka powered into the semifinals of the Australian Open after a hard-fought victory over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The defending champion overcame challenging conditions and a determined opponent to secure a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win on Rod Laver Arena.
Facing gusty winds and a resilient Pavlyuchenkova, Sabalenka admitted it was a tough match. “Honestly, I was just praying today. I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions,” she said. “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.”
Sabalenka showcased the variety in her game early on, mixing powerful backhand shots with delicate drop shots to gain the upper hand. Despite taking the first set, she faced a spirited comeback from Pavlyuchenkova in the second, who leveled the match with her own display of aggressive tennis.
Regaining composure in the final set, Sabalenka drew inspiration from the tiger tattoo on her arm, a symbol of her determination. “I was born in the year of the tiger and I literally dreamt for six months about getting a tiger tattoo,” she explained. “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.”
Securing the crucial break to go up 5-3, Sabalenka served out the match to extend her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 19 matches. Looking ahead, she’s set to face her close friend Paula Badosa in the semifinals. “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 reflected. “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
