World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered into the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday, brushing aside American teenager Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 as Melbourne endured searing heat that forced organisers to take extra precautions.
Playing under intense sunshine on Rod Laver Arena, with on-court temperatures climbing to around 38°C and forecasts predicting highs of up to 45°C later in the day, the defending champion delivered another dominant performance to stay firmly on track for a third Melbourne title in four years.
Sabalenka, 27, has yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament and extended her winning streak to 10 matches following her Brisbane International triumph earlier this month. The victory marked her 14th career Grand Slam semi-final and her fourth consecutive appearance in the last four at the Australian Open.
“Don’t look at the score- it wasn’t easy at all,” Sabalenka said after the match. “She played incredible tennis and really pushed me. These teenagers have been testing me in the last couple of rounds, and I’m super happy with the win.”
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Jovic showed flashes of the talent that carried her to a breakthrough quarter-final run. The 18-year-old, the youngest player in the women’s top 100 and seeded 29, troubled Sabalenka with her speed and ball-striking in the opening set and earned multiple break-point opportunities before the top seed’s power and composure took control.
Sabalenka took a 3-0 lead in the first set. In the second set, the Belarusian broke serve immediately, never allowing Jovic back into the contest, sealing victory with back-to-back aces.
Jovic’s run ends as one of the stories of the tournament. She stunned seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and overwhelmed experienced campaigner Yulia Putintseva to announce herself on the Grand Slam stage, becoming the youngest Australian Open quarter-finalist since 2007.
The match was played with the stadium roof open, but tournament organisers later closed it as the event’s Heat Stress Scale reached its maximum rating for the second time in four days. Play on outside courts was suspended, echoing similar disruptions earlier in the tournament when temperatures soared above 40°C.
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Aryna Sabalenka will next face either third seed Coco Gauff or 12th seed Elina Svitolina for a place in Saturday’s final. She remains the only player left in the women’s draw to have previously lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Elsewhere on centre court, Carlos Alcaraz was due to face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in a quarter-final clash, with the winner set to meet Alexander Zverev or rising American talent Learner Tien in the semi-finals.
As the Melbourne heat continues to test players and organisers alike, Sabalenka’s ruthless efficiency has made her the benchmark of the tournament- and the woman everyone must now beat.
