Aryna Sabalenka gets revenge over Keys in Brisbane
World number one Aryna Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance in Brisbane, securing a decisive victory over Madison Keys. This win serves as a potent warning ahead of the upcoming Australian Open.
The match, a mirror of last year’s Melbourne final, saw Sabalenka claim revenge for her previous defeat. She triumphed with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 scoreline, advancing comfortably to the semi-finals.
Sabalenka’s Dominance Against Keys
Madison Keys, who had played a grueling three-hour match less than 24 hours prior, appeared to struggle. She was seen with strapping on her thigh, and her performance was marked by uncharacteristic errors and service difficulties.
Sabalenka exploited these weaknesses, showcasing a series of exceptional returns. Her powerful game left Keys with little opportunity to establish a foothold in the contest, as highlighted by reports on SindhNews.com.
The Belarusian competitor is now on track for her potential third Australian Open title in four years. The Grand Slam tournament is scheduled to commence on January 18.
Semifinal Showdowns Take Shape
In the other quarter-final matches, Czech talent Karolina Muchova emerged as a surprise package. She defied expectations, overcoming world number five Elena Rybakina with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory.
Muchova faced a resilient Rybakina, who found her form in the second set after a slow start. However, a crucial break in the third set ultimately secured Muchova’s passage to the semi-finals. She is set to face Sabalenka in the last four.
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula also solidified her spot in the semifinals, defeating Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Pegula will now compete against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who upset Mira Andreeva.
The men’s draw saw former world number one Daniil Medvedev rally from a set down to defeat Kamil Majchrzak. He secured his win with a 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 score, setting up a semi-final clash with Alex Michelsen. An all-American semifinal will feature Brandon Nakashima against Aleksandar Kovacevic.
The Brisbane tournament has set the stage for exciting semi-final encounters, with top players demonstrating strong form as the Australian Open approaches.