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 đź‘€ 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.
