Sabalenka: Trophy or nothing as she reaches Australian Open semis
Sabalenka: Trophy or nothing as she reaches Australian Open semis
Sabalenka roars into the Australian Open semis with a 6-3, 6-0 win over teen Iva Jovic, declaring 'trophy or nothing' as she chases a third title.
Aryna Sabalenka moved closer to a rare three-peat at the Australian Open, dismissing 18-year-old Iva Jovic 6-3 6-0 in a one-sided quarter-final in Melbourne. Sabalenka, the world number one, reiterated a 'trophy or nothing' mentality, saying she focuses on the right things to stay at peak level.
She has not dropped a set in Melbourne this year and has extended her winning streak to 10 matches to begin 2026, underscoring her status as the heavy favorite for the title. Sabalenka also holds a strong 5-1 edge in her head-to-head against Elina Svitolina, who previously stunned Coco Gauff in the other quarter-final with a 6-1 6-2 victory that sent a clear message to the rest of the field.
Gauff’s exit was a sobering reminder of the level at the top of the women's game this season. The American teenager struggled with errors, including five double faults and 26 unforced mistakes, as Svitolina moved into the semi-finals.
Sabalenka’s run this year has been a showcase of consistency and grit. She has reached eight consecutive singles semi-finals at Grand Slams—the third woman to do so in the last 38 years, joining the ranks of Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis. With the quarter-final behind her, Sabalenka’s focus remains unwavering as she eyes a return to the Australian Open final and a potential third major title.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Sabalenka appears set to meet Svitolina, a formidable challenger who has already demonstrated the capacity to topple one of the game’s most exciting young talents. The stage is set for a high-quality clash as the tournament continues to unfold in Melbourne.
