World number one Aryna Sabalenka issued a warning for the Australian Open by defeating Madison Keys in Brisbane on Friday, replicating last year’s Melbourne final matchup.
Keys had surprised Sabalenka nearly
12 months ago, but the Belarusian avenged that loss with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory to advance to the semi-finals.
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Keys, playing less than 24 hours after her marathon three-hour win over Russia’s Diana Shnaider, was hampered by heavy strapping on her thigh. She delivered an unusually error-prone performance and struggled with her serve, while Sabalenka showcased excellent returns.
Sabalenka, who is aiming for her third Melbourne title in four years when the Australian Open begins on January 18, stated that the Brisbane tournament was helping her regain form ahead of the year’s first major.
“I’m just trying to bring on court the things I have been working on during the pre-season, such as coming to the net,” she said.
“I was working on my serve and it seems that it’s working a little bit better. I’m just trying to get some matches, get some wins, get the rhythm going again.”
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Sabalenka will face Czech player Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals after the 11th seed held her nerve to defeat world number five Elena Rybakina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Muchova swiftly won the first set against an out-of-sorts Rybakina, who eventually found her rhythm to claim the second set. However, Muchova broke the former Wimbledon champion once in the third set to secure victory, aided by her opponent’s 42 unforced errors.
Muchova has won her last three matches against Sabalenka, although the most recent was at the China Open in 2024. “If it’s a year and a half back, we are both different players than we were before,” Muchova said.
“But yeah, these matches before were very long battles, I think always three-setters and could have gone either way.”
