The Australian Open
Australian Open 2025 Women’s Day 10
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka flirted with disaster but pulled out a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday to survive into the semi-finals.
The world No. 1 who is fighting to defend her position from Iga Swiatek will play Spain’s Paula Badosa for a place in the Saturday final at Melbourne Park
The Spaniard defied the odds a year after a back injury nearly caused her to quit the game,
with the Spaniard earning a 7-5, 6-4 upset of third seed Coco Gauff to reach her first Grand Slam semi..
Sabalenka denied the 32nd-ranked Pavlyuchenkova a second Grand Slam quarter-final win from nine played.
Top seed Sabalenka came form a double break down in the deciding set as her game returned after a shoddy second set which gave her opponent hopes of an upset scenario.
“I was just praying today for the ball to go in,” the winner said. “It was very difficult to play.
“She played amazing tennis very aggressive. Magically I was somehow able to win the match.”
Sabalenka lost her fist set of the season in the quarter-final but takes a lesson from her close call.
“Sometimes maybe it’s good to have these tough battles and get through them. But I still would have wished to have won in straight sets. – I can’t wait to play Paula.”
Badosa, the former WTA No. 2 held her nerve for one and three-quarter hours as she preyed on the notoriously dodgy Gauff forehand, advancing to the final four on her first match point – a forehand winner to the empty corner.
Gauff, whose nine-match win streak since the start of the season was ended, produced more than 40 unforced errors in her losing effort as Badosa fulfilled a career dream.
“I’m a bit emotional,” the New York-born Spaniard said after dropping to her knees in victory.
A year ago, with back pain set to possibly end her career, the 27-year-old went out in the third round here.
She is now back to fitness and looking to advance further at the first major of the season.
“I wanted to play my best game and I think I did it,” the winner said.
“Coco was playing insane tennis at the start, but I’m super-proud of the level I gave today.
“I was once one of the best but now I think I’m a better mover,more mature and managing my emotions better.
“For me, this is all a dream come true. A year ago I didn;t know if i could ever play against the best in the world.
“I would have never thought I would be in a semi-final of a Grand Slam.”
Gauff was quick to analyse what went wrong for her: “
I think the timing was alittle bit off. I was hitting some balls too far in front almost, maybe playing a little bit too far back.
“
It’s just a lot more work to do. I’m obviously disappointed, but I’m not completely crushed.”The way I played – even though it wasn’t my best – I gave it my all on the court, so that’s something to be proud of.”
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka winning in Melbourne – by WTATennis.com
Tennis style icon Naomi Osaka has no plans to try for one-upmanship in the informal fashion stakes at Roland Garros.
The former world No. 1 from Japan has sometimes made more news with her style choices than her racquet, especially after taking time off several seasons ago to have a child.
But Osaka has run against the traditional tennis grain with some of her outfits, which included an exo-skeleton ensemble at January’s Australian Open, where she walked onto court for her opening match wearing a large hat, veil, and carrying a parasol combination and wearing a pair of pleated pants..
The clothing was discarded before the start revealing a tennis dress, with the quirky player explaining the get-up was inspired by “the jellyfish, then butterflies, which ties back to the butterfly moment I had here a long time ago, in 2021,”
The world No. 16 also put on a fashion show at the spring Met Gala in New York, sporting a wedding dress-style garment combined with another huge hat..
For Osaka, it’s just another day in the office, but she said nothing special is planned when Roland Garros kicks of on Sunday in Paris.
“I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes,” she said on Saturday prior to the start of the year’s second major.
“That means I can be as loud with colors or patterns or
fabric as I want.
“I think that’s the fun part.. I feel we lost that a little in tennis. I grew up with, you know, Serena’s and Venus’s (Williams) grand reveals (included beaded hair and catsuits on court).
“I know there are some kids or some people who are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits.
“But, yeah, I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.
Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.
His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.
Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.
“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.
“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity.
“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”
Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.
Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching, with the 38-year-old dropping his strongest hint ever about his future on court.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion who has been keeping his ATP scheduling options open and has competed this season only at the Australian Open (finals loss to Carlos Alcaraz) and winning two rounds last month at Indian Wells.
“Tennis is still very important to me, but it’s no longer everything,” the Serb told Esquire Australia, adding that family matters and two children are starting to take precedence in his life.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges – finding the right balance between tennis and family life, especially as my children are growing and have school commitments, so they can’t travel with me as much as before.
“When I’m on the court, I’m motivated not just to win, but to set an example – to show them values like dedication, resilience, and love for what you do. That motivation is very powerful and very personal.”
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was runner up to Carlos Alcaraz in AO26 – by ISF Ltd
Roland Garros 2026 Men’s Day 10
Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 10
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