World number one Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the Brisbane International semi-finals after beating Australian Open champion Madison Keys in straight sets. The Belarusian won 6-3, 6-3 to continue her strong build-up to the season’s first Grand Slam.
Strong start to season
The 27-year-old four-time major winner has now recorded three consecutive straight-set victories this week, dropping only 13 games across six sets. Sabalenka is chasing a third Australian Open title in four years after lifting the trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Motivation after Melbourne loss
“I know that I lost in Australia against her, and that’s the big motivation of course to go out and to get the win,” Sabalenka said, as quoted by WTA. She added that she prefers to treat every match as a fresh challenge, regardless of past results.
Muchova awaits in semi-final
Sabalenka will next face Karolina Muchova after the Czech player stunned world number five Elena Rybakina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Muchova, ranked 20th, ended Rybakina’s 13-match winning streak and has now beaten Sabalenka in their last three meetings.
British players exit Auckland event
In Auckland, Britain’s Sonay Kartal narrowly lost her quarter-final to Elina Svitolina in a final-set tie-break. Kartal was beaten 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-5) after failing to serve out the match at 5-3 in the decider.
Jones forced to retire
Fellow Briton Fran Jones retired injured during her quarter-final against China’s Wang Xiyu while trailing 6-4, 4-3, according to WTA updates.
Svitolina will continue her chase for a 19th career WTA title as the top seed at the ASB Classic.
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