Brisbane
Sabalenka sweeps into Brisbane final four
Arnya Sabalenka fired 44 winners but had to avoid a few niggles at the end on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Brisbane International, defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4.
The quarter-final in Queensland ended in a triumph for the top seed and world No. 1 – but Sabalenka needed five match points to make it happen.
The winner of the last two editions of the Australian Open overcame trou blw with a is-firing forehand before taking victory over the Czech.
“It’s always a tough battle against her,” the winner said. “The last one, I lost (Washington SF in August).
“I came to the match focused and was able to put pressure on her from the start to win in straight sets.”
Sabalenka next faces teenaged Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 7-6 (2).
Andreeva saved a a pair of set points in the second against the three-time Grand Slam finalist from Tunisia.
The youngster upset Sabalenka in the Roland Garros quarters last season.