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