Aryna Sabalenka wasted no time reminding the tennis world why she remains the player to beat in Melbourne, delivering a dominant straight-sets victory over Madison Keys at the Brisbane International on January 9 to book her place in the semifinals.
In a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, the world number one produced a clinical 6-3, 6-3 performance against the American, turning the tables after Keys had shocked her in their Melbourne showdown nearly 12 months ago. This time, Sabalenka was in complete control, showcasing sharp returns and relentless baseline pressure.
Keys entered the quarterfinal less than 24 hours after a grueling three-hour battle against Russia’s Diana Shnaider and appeared physically compromised, playing with heavy strapping on her thigh. The fatigue showed as she struggled to find rhythm on serve and leaked unforced errors, allowing Sabalenka to dictate proceedings.
The Belarusian, who is targeting a third Australian Open title in four years when the season’s first Grand Slam begins on January 18, said the Brisbane event has been instrumental in fine-tuning her game. “I’m just trying to bring onto the court what I’ve been working on during the pre-season,” Sabalenka said.
“Coming to the net more, improving my serve, it feels like things are coming together. Right now, it’s about getting matches, building confidence, and finding my rhythm again.”
Standing between Sabalenka and a place in the final is Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova, who staged an impressive three-set win over world number five Elena Rybakina earlier in the day.
Muchova stormed through the opening set 6-2 against an unusually erratic Rybakina before the former Wimbledon champion regrouped to take the second. However, a crucial break in the decider proved decisive as Muchova closed out a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory, aided by Rybakina’s 42 unforced errors.
The Czech holds a psychological edge heading into the semifinal, having won her last three encounters with Sabalenka, including their most recent meeting at the 2024 China Open. “If you go back a year or more, we’re both different players now,” Muchova said. “But our matches have always been tough battles, long, close, and very competitive.”
With form, confidence, and unfinished business on her side, Sabalenka now heads into the final four in Brisbane sending a clear warning ahead of the Australian Open.
