Aryna Sabalenka admitted she was struggling with conditions at the Australian Open as she advanced into the semi-finals with a 6-2 2-6 6-3 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
It was a battle but world number one and defending champion is into the semi-finals at the Australian Open with a three set win over Pavlyuchenkova.
Both players had to deal with brutal conditions as the wind played a factor in the match but ultimately Sabalenka prevailed to reach the last four.
Speaking after the match Sabalenka described the conditions as ‘unbelievable’ and admitted she struggled to cope with the wind, “The conditions were unbelievable. The wind was so strong. It was very difficult for both of us, I think. Just super happy to get this win. It was very difficult one. And really happy to get through this difficult match,” Sabalenka said in her press conference.
“I was all over the place. I’m really glad that at some point I was able to put myself back together, and I was able to, you know, like, I don’t know, just get back to the match. I was able to keep fighting, keep trying, and I was able to turn around this match. It was really difficult one.
“I was just, like, trying to figure out how to play in these conditions. I was struggling a lot with, like, finding my rhythm, finding the solution in these conditions. It’s not about being scared. It’s about finding the way out.
“I was struggling not in the beginning, actually. In the second set I was struggling with finding the way, but then I found one way. Yeah, I’m happy that I was able to do that.”
Despite the struggle, Sabalenka maintained her composure and is now on track to win three Australian Opens in a row.
A very small list of female players have been able to win the same Grand Slam three times in a row and Sabalenka admitted she is excited about the prospect of history, “I’m really happy that I put myself in this situation where I have opportunity to became one of them,” Sabalenka admitted.
“To be next to those names, wow, that’s just a dream. Of course, it always been in the back of my mind that I can do that. But you know, my main focus is, as you said, step by step. I know that if I’ll be able to bring my best tennis on each game, if not the best tennis, then the best fight spirit, I know that I’m capable of doing that.
“I’m just trying to focus on myself and on bringing my best tennis every time I’m out there.”
Sabalenka is focused on the present and she will need to be as she takes on in-form Paula Badosa on Thursday.
The Spaniard eliminated title contender Coco Gauff in straight sets to advance to the last four in Melbourne for the first time.
Ahead of playing her good friend Sabalenka spoke about Badosa’s form and admitted she is thrilled that the 11th seed is into the semi-finals, “I mean, she’s a great player and she has been through a lot. Now she’s back on her best game. I’m really happy to see that,” Sabelenka stated.
“She’s playing really great tennis, I think. I think I just need to focus on myself, and I have to stay aggressive, and I have to put her under a lot of pressure. Yeah, I’m really excited to face her in the semis. It’s definitely going to be great battle, and I’m really looking forward.”
Heading into Thursday’s semi-final, Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 5-2 with their last meeting taking place at Roland Garros last year.