Sabalenka cruises past Vekic in dominant fashion to reach Australian Open semifinal

In a display of pure power and athleticism, Aryna Sabalenka brushed past Donna Vekic to advance to the Australian Open semifinals, her second straight Grand Slam semifinal appearance after reaching the same stage at last year's US Open.

Sabalenka required an hour and 49 minutes to record the 6-3 6-2 victory, hitting an impressive 38 winners in the process. Although the Belarusian was hindered by shades of her serving woes from last season, she was able to overcome nine double faults to secure her victory.

Read also

Prize Money Breakdown 2023 Australian Open with $76.5m in total on offer, 3.4% increase in record amount

Vekic was faced with serving troubles of her own, hitting 13 double faults while winning only 26% of her second serves. This allowed the fifth-seeded Sabalenka to capitalize on 5 of 13 break points in the match, whereas Vekic failed to do the same, the Croatian veteran could only break her opponent on 2 of 14 occasions. This was enough for the World No.5, who employed her big-hitting style of play to pressure Vekic and advance to another Grand Slam semifinal.

Read also

Magda Linette keeps Cinderella story alive with stunning victory over Karolina Pliskova, advances to maiden Australian Open semifinal

Awaiting Sabalenka in the semifinals is Magda Linette, the unseeded Polish star stunned former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova in their earlier quarterfinal encounter to reach her maiden Major semifinal.