World number one Aryna Sabalenka has stormed into her fourth consecutive Australian Open final with a commanding straight-sets victory over Ukrainian opponent Elina Svitolina. The Belarusian powerhouse secured her place in Saturday's championship match with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 win on Rod Laver Arena, extending her remarkable record of not dropping a single set throughout the entire tournament.
Dominant Performance Seals Final Berth
Sabalenka, who claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 before falling to Madison Keys in last year's thrilling final, demonstrated why she remains the woman to beat in Melbourne. Her powerful baseline game proved too much for Svitolina, with the statistics telling a compelling story of dominance. Sabalenka fired an impressive 29 winners compared to Svitolina's 12, while maintaining a commanding head-to-head record that now stands at 5-1 in her favour.
Political Undertones Surface Post-Match
Following the final point, the match concluded without the traditional handshake between opponents, continuing the stance Ukrainian players have maintained since Russia's invasion of their country four years ago. Svitolina, adhering to this policy regarding Russian and Belarusian players, quickly departed the court without acknowledging her opponent. Tournament organisers had informed spectators about this likely outcome before the match began, avoiding the confusion that occurred earlier in the tournament when Russian player Mirra Andreeva was booed after losing to Svitolina.
Svitolina's Milestone Achievement Overshadowed
For Svitolina, the defeat overshadowed what should have been a celebratory occasion marking her first Australian Open semi-final appearance at age 31. Despite the loss, the Ukrainian will return to the world's top 10 next week for the first time since before the birth of her daughter Skai in 2022, representing a significant personal and professional milestone in her comeback journey. Courtside support came from her husband, French tennis star Gael Monfils, who watched as Sabalenka's power game proved insurmountable.
Controversial Moment Fuels Sabalenka's Fire
The match featured one controversial moment in the fourth game when chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell called a hindrance against Sabalenka for vocalising after hitting the ball, awarding the point to Svitolina. Sabalenka immediately requested a video review, but the original decision stood. Rather than disrupting her rhythm, the incident appeared to galvanise the four-time grand slam singles champion, who promptly broke serve in what became a turning point in the opening set.
Sabalenka Reflects on Achievement
Speaking after her victory, Sabalenka expressed both disbelief and determination regarding her achievement. "I cannot believe that, that's an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet," she stated. "She's such a tough opponent, just super happy to be through this tough match. I played great tennis." Her only minor stumble came at the beginning of the second set when Svitolina won two consecutive games, but Sabalenka responded emphatically by winning the next five games to seal the match.
Historic Consistency in Women's Tennis
This victory marks Sabalenka's eighth grand slam final appearance overall and her fifth in the last six major tournaments, cementing her status as the most consistently dominant force in contemporary women's tennis. Her booming groundstrokes and aggressive court positioning have become hallmarks of her game, with one particularly spectacular backhand fired cross-court earning her a 19th winner and securing the first set. As she prepares for Saturday's final, Sabalenka carries not just the momentum of an undefeated tournament run, but the confidence of a player who has made the Australian Open her personal proving ground for four consecutive years.
