Aryna Sabalenka survived a scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and continue her bid for a third straight Melbourne title.
The world number one is attempting to become the first woman since Martina Hingis 26 years ago to complete a ‘three-peat’ at the hard-court Grand Slam.
After racing through the first set, Sabalanka’s title hopes were left hanging by a thread as Pavlyuchenkova swept up the second and broke early in the decider.
But the Belarusian kept her cool to fight back and wrap up a 6-2 2-6 6-3 win.
“I think it is good to have these tough battles and be tougher in the later stages of the tournament,” Sabalenka said.
“I wish I had won this match in straight sets, but it is what it is.”
It is the first time Sabalenka has dropped a set at the Australian Open since the 2023 final, where she fought back to beat Elena Rybakina and win a maiden major singles title.
The top seed said she “can’t wait” to face her friend Paula Badosa in the last four after the Spaniard stunned third seed Coco Gauff earlier on Tuesday.