Brisbane International | Aryna Sabalenka flips the script on Keys as Pegula only needs two sets to pass Samsonova
WTAFriday, 09 January 2026 at 09:18
The semi-finalists continue to be set at the Brisbane International with only a certain Andreeva v Kostyuk tie still in the offing in Australia but for Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, it was progression on Thursday.
World No.1 Sabalenka gained a modicum of revenge albeit she doesn't see it like that as she saw off Madison Keys who famously defeated her in the final of the Australian Open back in 2025. She broke Keys in five straight service games on her way to victory in one and 1/2 hours to reach the semi-finals.
Albeit Keys perhaps was a bit undercooked and fell into her hands anyway as she didn't look 100% during her battle with Diana Shnaider who herself also had to take a mid-match time-out as both struggled in the opening week of the season. No such struggle for Sabalenka but no such mention of revenge.
"I didn´t really have the throwback to the Australian Open last year, to be honest," Sabalenka said as per AP. "I know that I lost in Australia against her and it's a big motivation, of course, to go out and get the win.
"But I always look into the (next) match as like a new match against a new player. That's my approach."
That new mindset also goes for head to heads as she admitted it isn't something she massively spends her time thinking about and that it is a new day and she said that it seems to be working well for her in that regard.
"Doesn´t matter if I´m the one who is leading head-to-head or I´m the one who is losing - I don´t care," Sabalenka said. "In the past, I could lose a match because I´d be so frustrated. Now I´m just trying to move on like, `OK, whatever,'" she said. "I feel like it´s been working well for me."
Sabalenka opened the tie with a first break in the service game and then took six out of the next seven games. Keys broke to open the second set but that was the only interruption from a pretty dominant display from the Belarusian.
Keys second serve in particular was put under a great weight of pressure as she finished the match with eight double faults and won just 33% of her second serve points. She saved two match points in the eighth of the second but it didn't slow down Sabalenka who served it out from there.
Pegula joins Sabalenka, faces Kostyuk/Andreeva next
While Jessica Pegula will face the winner of Andreeva v Kostyuk, Sabalenka is set to face Karolina Muchova who ended Elena Rybakina's incredible win streak and looked superb in doing so.
The American on the other hand will fly the flag for her nation after the demise of both Keys and also Anisimova in the round prior. She won 6-3, 7-6(3) against Liudmila Samsonova not requiring three sets unlike her previous two wins in an accomplished display from the fourth seed.
She had defeated Dayana Yastremska 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 and also Anna Kalinskaya 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in previous rounds. The latter in particular has often been a thorn in her side over the years but she has passed all tests and now Kostyuk or Andreeva await.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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- "This of course a stark change to Rybakina who is obviously more timid..." That just may be the dumbest thing ever written about Lena. For a CCO, Mr. Gill seems to have either made an error in judgement -- or needed filler for this article -- to say something so ridiculous.
mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
- I am sorry, but Sabalenka has NO EXCUSE for her despicable behaviour. She lacks self and mouth control! The message is being sent but Saba isn't getting it! She is full of arrogance and pride. Hopefully, after this defeat she will be on the way to becoming a humble lady LIKE ELENA! I hope she never regains the world No. 1 until she develops some humility.Rapunzel13-09-2026
- Sabalenka began showing signs of her game gradually 'changing' since last season. I predicted her fascination with posting endless Selfies, participating in commercial media distractions and constant Social Media nonsense could impact her in a negative way. Her off-court Life was sure to interfere with her performace level. Visions of Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard come to mind. The Final yesterday was a weird case of polar-opposites. Sabalenka and Rybakina could not be any more different in personalities! Saba often portrays a somewhat fake persona, including her Phony Screaming. Her usual habit of acting like the nice girl with a sense of humor is a misconception. People take her lack of intellect as "cute" and "funny". So anyway... yesterday viewers witnessed that Fake Scream be reduced to a whimper and sometimes no vocal gymnastics at all once she knew the jig was up. We all saw her look into the camera post-match and say "F... You". Also, pretty hard to not see Saba making untoward facial expressions, rolling her eyes, etc., behind Rybakina while on the podium. Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, was her usual 'in-control' self as she spoke clearly and calmly, without making faces nor any ill-will toward anyone = 100% Class Act. Lena appeared more than aware of Saba's sour attitude and made a point of not looking in her direction most of the time. FWIW: I have never -- not ever -- heard Sabalenka make any sounds on practice courts. So it is indeed a nonsensical ruse as she thinks (incorrectly) it affects opponents. It does not. In fact, as was the case yesterday, I saw Lena occasionally take a side-eye glance at Saba on her way to the bench... as if to calculate her emotions. Saba is actually a very easy 'read'.mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA really, really hates this sort of thing. They surely are satisfied to make believe no such thing happens (or happened).mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA and ATP cannot even make their dope testing equal and precise across the board. They sure as hell cannot escape a stituation they themselves made over the ridiculous "penalty" of omitting a player's country flag. Nothing regarding which flags to display (or not) should be a Thing. It proves nothing; solves nothing. If anything, all it did was cause stress, tension, and even outbursts between players in the WTA locker room. Let's not even start with the asinine practice of not shaking hands at the net with "the enemy". There seems to be a general lack of intelligence behind Pro Tennis administrations' Closed Doors. .mandoist13-09-2026
- Big Babe Tennis! Hoping for a good final.DaveyWavey12-09-2026
- Director needs to return to his old "job" at the Australia Open. He's clueless in NYC.mandoist12-09-2026
- You keep writing ridiculous crap... why are you even watching tennis?mandoist12-09-2026
- They probably have a very good reason for this. I do not get it. Annoying that it finishes so late
AceOfBase12-09-2026
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