MELBOURNE: fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka muscle Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2 in a fierce battle of heavy hitters on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the australian open for the first time.
The 24-year-old, the only seed in the top 10 in the draw, tried her luck in a physical hour-long first set littered with break points before running away with the second.
Vekic had held a career record of 5-1 against Sabalenka but was unable to match the level of the new improved version of the Belarusian with 13 double faults not helping the Croatian’s cause.
The 24-year-old, the only seed in the top 10 in the draw, tried her luck in a physical hour-long first set littered with break points before running away with the second.
Vekic had held a career record of 5-1 against Sabalenka but was unable to match the level of the new improved version of the Belarusian with 13 double faults not helping the Croatian’s cause.
Sabalenka can’t be stopped 👀 She remains undefeated in 2023 and reaches her first #AusOpen SF! @SabalenkaA•#AO2023 https://t.co/FKs8ebRl9v
— #AusOpen (@AusOpen) 1674619268000
Sabalenka completed the semi-final line-up after 109 minutes of play Rod washing Arena and will play the Polish surprise package Magda Linette Thursday for a place in his first Grand Slam final.
