Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka has become the first player to secure a place in the Australian Open 2026 semifinals, continuing her impressive run at the year’s first Grand Slam. At the Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka overcame 18-year-old American prodigy Eva Jovic in a commanding 6–3, 6–0 victory, despite sweltering conditions.
This marks Sabalenka’s fourth consecutive year advancing to the Melbourne final, and she has yet to drop a single set in the tournament. Riding a ten-match winning streak since her Brisbane triumph, the 27-year-old reflected after the match:
“These young players have tested me the most in recent rounds. The scoreline might look comfortable, but it was far from easy. Eva played brilliantly and pushed me to elevate my game.”
Following the match, organisers decided to close the arena roof to combat extreme heat, allowing the remaining three quarter-final matches to be played in a more controlled environment. Player, spectator, and official safety prompted this move. Outdoor junior matches were temporarily suspended due to the soaring temperature, which reached 38°C on-court. Sabalenka is set to face 12th seed Alina Svitolina in Thursday’s semifinal clash.
For Jovic, the tournament ended memorably. Among the youngest in the top 100 of the women’s rankings, she had already impressed by defeating 7th seed Jasmine Paolini in the third round and outclassing veteran Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round.
Zverev’s Explosive Serve Powers Semifinal Spot
On the men’s side, Alexander Zverev secured his semifinal berth with a hard-fought 6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 7–6(7–3) victory over American Learner Tien. The match took place under the closed roof with outside temperatures hitting a staggering 43°C. Zverev’s serving was a highlight, delivering 24 aces during the encounter.
The 28-year-old German reflected:
“Without my serve, I might not have won today. I’m very pleased with my performance on that front.” Last year, Zverev reached the final but fell short against Jannik Sinner. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Tien experienced the biggest match of his young career but struggled to counter Zverev’s pace and power.
In the semifinals, Zverev will face either top seed Carlos Alcaraz or Australian home favourite Alex de Minaur. Despite six Grand Slam titles, Alcaraz has yet to progress beyond the quarterfinal stage in Melbourne.
Quarter-Final Performance Summary
| Player | Age | Nationality | Result | Sets Lost | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka | 27 | Belarus | Semifinal | 0 | Eva Jovic, Alina Svitolina |
| Eva Jovic | 18 | USA | Quarter-Final | 2 | Yulia Putintseva, Jasmine Paolini |
| Alexander Zverev | 28 | Germany | Semifinal | 1 | Learner Tien |
| Learner Tien | 20 | USA | Quarter-Final | 3 | – |
With Sabalenka and Zverev confirming their places, the stage is set for highly anticipated semifinals, promising thrilling encounters as the Australian Open heads towards its decisive final.
