On Tuesday, Sabalenka survived a big scare in difficult and windy conditions in her women’s singles quarter-final against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. 

Sabalenka needed three sets to defeat Pavlyuchenkova and advance to the last four, but the match was far from straightforward. After Sabalenka stormed through the first set, she dropped the second and faced significant pressure in the third.

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Aryna Sabalenka gets past tricky Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to advance to the semi-final ????#AO2025 | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/MdyTzp8I2a

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Following a series of service breaks in the second set, it was Sabalenka who managed to regroup and secure a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory. She will now face American-born Spanish player Paula Badosa, who earlier in the day reached her first Grand Slam semi-final with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff of the USA.

After her victory, two-time champion Sabalenka admitted that the match was far from easy but suggested that the tough win could prepare her well for the challenges ahead in the semi-finals and potential final.

“Honestly, I was just praying, trying to put the ball back in the court in these tough conditions,” said Sabalenka. “It was very difficult to play. She played amazing tennis, very aggressive. I’m just super happy I was somehow magically able to win this match.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Photo: X

“Sometimes it’s maybe good to have these tough battles, to go through them, and to be tougher for the last stages of the tournament.

“I wish I could have won this match in straight sets, but I’m happy to be through.”

On Wednesday, former world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland will face Emma Navarro of the USA, while Madison Keys of the USA will take on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh