Australian Open 2025: Aryna Sabalenka 'magically' beats Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach semi-finals - 'I was praying'

Aryna Sabalenka did it the hard way, but she is through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open once more with a three-set victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The world No. 1 came through 6-2 2-6 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, and said afterwards that she was "just praying" to come through the match unscathed and reach the last four, where she will face Paula Badosa, who defeated Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka relieved to 'somehow magically' reach semis after 'tough' match

Video credit: TNT Sports

Aryna Sabalenka said that she was "praying" for some "magic" as she was taken the distance by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The world No. 1 came through her Russian opponent in three sets - 6-2 2-6 6-3 - on Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka did not have it all her own way, with Pavlyuchenkova, the 27th seed, taking the match to the two-time defending champion.

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Sabalenka struggled with the windy conditions in Melbourne as she made an uncharacteristic 27 unforced errors in the match, and her ever-reliable serve went awry in the second set.

She was broken a stunning three times by Pavlyuchenkova, who stepped inside the baseline to power back her returns.

However, Sabalenka clung on as the conditions changed once more, and Pavlyuchenkova appeared to be running out of steam when it really mattered, with the Belarusian top seed closing out the final set 6-3 after another initial blip, where both players traded service breaks for the first four games.

In her on-court interview, Sabalenka cut a mightily relieved figure: "I was just praying today.

Sabalenka survives Pavlyuchenkova test to reach semis - Australian Open highlights

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"Praying to try and put the ball back in these tough conditions. I was just trying to put the ball back. It was very difficult to play.

"She played amazing tennis; very aggressive. I’m so pleased that I was able to somehow - magically - win this match.

"Now you can enjoy the battle between Djokovic and Alcaraz. It’ll definitely be a bit better tennis."

'Job done' for Sabalenka but Pavlyuchenkova was 'phenomenal' says Robson

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Despite the fact that she dropped her first set of the whole tournament against Pavlyuchenkova, Sabalenka insisted that she had had some "tough battles" in her previous rounds, especially in the second round against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

She will face Maneiro’s Spanish compatriot Paula Badosa, the 11th seed, in the last four, after she stunned world No. 3 Coco Gauff in straight sets earlier in the day.

"I had some tough battles," Sabalenka said. "In the second round I was 5-2 in a difficult match.

"Sometimes, it’s good to have these tough battles, to go through it, and to be tougher for the last stages of the tournament.

"I wish that I had won this match in straight sets, but it is what it is. Now I’m in the semis, and I cannot wait to play against Paula."

Eurosport expert Laura Robson was seriously impressed with Pavlyuchenkova’s performance and willingness to take the game to Sabalenka.

Big shock in quarters as Badosa stuns Gauff - Australian Open highlights

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"Her ball strike is so clean," Robson said. "She takes the ball so early, especially her backhand. It’s just phenomenal.

"I loved the way she was taking on the returns. She just made Sabalenka as uncomfortable as possible. It’s easier said than done, when you’re playing someone with that much power.

"As the conditions changed, the court slowed down and the wind really picked up. It was super breezy inside the stadium; we don’t usually see RLA have as much of a side wind."

Robson, who herself reached the final of the Australian Open as a junior, said that it was "job done" for the three-time Grand Slam champion.

"It was one of those matches that Sabalenka didn’t quite play her best tennis at times, but she’s in the semi-finals, so job done."

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