Brisbane, Australia is buzzing with tennis excitement as Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and defending champion, powered her way into the semifinals of the Brisbane International with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over Madison Keys. This quarterfinal clash wasn’t just any ordinary matchup—it was a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, where Keys had stunned Sabalenka. This time, the Belarusian superstar flipped the script in decisive fashion, sending a clear message to her rivals with the first Grand Slam of the year just around the corner.
The match, played on a warm subtropical Friday afternoon at Pat Rafter Arena, saw Sabalenka break Keys’ serve in five consecutive games—a relentless display of returning prowess and mental fortitude. Keys, clearly feeling the effects of a grueling three-hour battle against Diana Shnaider less than 24 hours earlier, entered the court with heavy strapping on her thigh and struggled to find her rhythm. The American’s serve, usually a potent weapon, faltered under pressure, evidenced by her eight double-faults and the fact she won just one-third of her second serve points. Sabalenka, ever the opportunist, pounced on any short or slow delivery, turning defense into attack with a series of blistering returns.
“I think my return was really good today,” Sabalenka said after the match, reflecting on her dominant performance. “I put so much pressure on her, and I think that was the biggest advantage today. I’m just trying to bring on court things I have been working on the preseason, such as coming to the net.” She added, “I was working on my serve, and it seems that it’s working a little bit better. I know I have to be focused from the beginning to the end with her, because she’s an incredible fighter and she can come back any time.”
Sabalenka’s journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of impressive. She began her title defense earlier in the week with a clinical 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, followed by a 6-3, 6-3 win over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. During the match against Cirstea, Sabalenka admitted to feeling frustrated early on but quickly found her rhythm. When asked about her “angry face” on court, she joked, “That’s just my face. You know, guys, I was just born with this face (smiling).” She went on to explain, “At the beginning I struggled a little bit with the rhythm, and I was just trying to find the rhythm and the focus, like, the right focus. And that’s it. After a couple of games, I found my game a little better and the level was increasing every game I would play, so it wasn’t really frustration or something else. I was just trying to figure my game.”
With Friday’s win, Sabalenka extended her winning streak in Brisbane to seven matches, boasting an impressive 11-1 overall record at the tournament. She’s no stranger to success here, having finished as runner-up in 2024 and now aiming for her third consecutive final at this event. The victory over Keys was particularly sweet, not just because it avenged last year’s Australian Open final loss, but because it reaffirmed Sabalenka’s status as the player to beat as the tennis world turns its eyes to Melbourne for the first major of the year, beginning January 18.
For Keys, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow. The 30-year-old American had fought valiantly through the early rounds, edging out Diana Shnaider in a marathon 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) encounter and overcoming McCartney Kessler 6-4, 6-3. However, the physical toll of back-to-back matches and Sabalenka’s relentless pressure proved insurmountable. Keys did manage to save two match points in the eighth game of the second set, but Sabalenka coolly served out the match at love, sealing her place in the last four after just 90 minutes on court.
Sabalenka’s next challenge comes in the form of Czech surprise package Karolina Muchova, the tournament’s 11th seed. Muchova showcased her own resilience by defeating world number five Elena Rybakina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, ending Rybakina’s impressive 13-match winning streak. Muchova raced through the first set before Rybakina found her groove in the second, but it was the Czech who held her nerve in the decider, capitalizing on Rybakina’s 42 unforced errors to secure a memorable win. The semifinal showdown between Sabalenka and Muchova promises fireworks, especially given their recent history. Muchova has won her last three encounters against Sabalenka, including their most recent clash at the 2024 China Open.
“If it’s a year and a half back, we both are different players than we were before,” Muchova reflected. “But yeah, these matches before were very long battles, I think always three-setters and could have gone either way.” Sabalenka, for her part, isn’t dwelling on the head-to-head statistics. “Doesn’t matter if I’m the one who is leading head-to-head or I’m the one who is losing — I don’t care,” she told reporters. “In the past, I could lose a match because I’d be so frustrated. Now I’m just trying to move on like, ‘OK, whatever.’ That’s my mentality nowadays and I feel like it’s been working well for me.”
Sabalenka’s focus heading into the Australian Open is as much about mental strength as physical preparation. She’s candid about the challenges of the tennis calendar, describing the season schedule as “insane” and revealing she’s willing to risk fines to skip tournaments if it means avoiding injuries or burnout. “I’m just trying to get some matches, get some wins, and get the rhythm going again,” she said, emphasizing the importance of peaking at the right time.
The atmosphere in Brisbane has been electric, with fans showing their appreciation for Sabalenka’s efforts in unique ways. After her quarterfinal win, a supporter handed her a bag of gummy bears—a sweet reward for a job well done and a lighthearted moment that even the steely world number one couldn’t resist. “We know what her favorite candy is now,” joked Tennis Channel, capturing the lighter side of a fiercely competitive week.
As the Brisbane International heads into its final stages, all eyes remain on Sabalenka. Will she continue her dominant run and claim a third straight final appearance? Or will Muchova, buoyed by her recent success against the top seed, spring another surprise? One thing’s for sure: with the Australian Open looming, every match in Brisbane is shaping the narrative for what promises to be an unforgettable start to the 2026 tennis season.
For now, Sabalenka stands tall, her confidence and form peaking at just the right moment. The tennis world waits with bated breath to see if she can carry this momentum all the way to Melbourne and beyond.