Source : ABC NEWS
It’s been a simple approach but an effective one for Aryna Sabalenka as she bids for a third consecutive Australian Open title.
“My main focus is step by step,” Sabalenka said after a nervous 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their quarterfinal on Rod Laver Arena.
“I know that if I’m able to bring my best tennis on each game — if not the best tennis, then the best fighting spirit — I know that I’m capable of doing that (winning three straight Australian Opens).”
Trusting the process was crucial for Sabalenka when she had her back to the wall against 27th seed Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday night.
Pavlyuchenkova enjoyed the momentum after winning the second set in which she broke the world number one on three occasions.
Another service break to kick off the third set only strengthened Pavlyuchenkova’s standing, leaving Sabalenka with a mountain of work to get back into the match.
She made up ground by breaking Pavlyuchenkova’s serve in the second game, but the Russian immediately broke back for a 2-1 lead.
Sabalenka needed to call upon all the experience that comes with winning three major singles championships.
She won five of the next six games to close out the match and book a date with 11th seed Paula Badosa in Thursday’s semifinals.
“I was all over the place,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m really glad that at some point I was able to put myself back together and I was able to just get back into the match.
“I was able to keep fighting, keep trying and I was able to turn around this match. It was really a difficult one.”
Sabalenka remains a chance of claiming a third consecutive Australian Open title. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)
It’s been 26 years since Martina Hingis became the most recent player to win a third straight women’s Australian Open crown.
Sabalenka has the chance to become the sixth player to achieve the feat in the Open era, joining an illustrious list.
Aside from Hingis (1997-99), Margaret Court (1969-71), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-76), Steffi Graf (1988-1990) and Monica Seles (1991-93) all managed three-peats.
Sabalenka realises there are still hurdles to clear if she is to again lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Sabalenka pictured after her victory in the 2024 Australian Open final. (Getty Images: Julian Finney)
But she is humbled to be in a position to potentially sit alongside greats of the game.
“I’m really happy that I put myself in this situation where I have opportunity to became one of them,” Sabalenka said.
“To be next to those names, wow, that’s just a dream. Of course, it’s always been in the back of my mind that I can do that.”
Getting past Badosa — who ended third-seeded Coco Gauff’s tournament in the quarterfinals — will not be an easy task, given the Spaniard’s impressive form at Melbourne Park.
But Sabalenka won’t spend much time worrying about the challenge she faces from her close friend Badosa.
“She’s playing really great tennis, I think,” Sabalenka said.
“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.”
