Aryna Sabalenka, ranked first in the world, advanced to the Brisbane International semi-finals on Friday after defeating Marie Bouzkova in straight sets, demonstrating her increased preparation for the Australian Open.
After defeating Marie Bouzkova in straight sets to go to the Brisbane International semi-finals on Friday, world number one Aryna Sabalenka stepped up her preparations for the Australian Open. The Czech player was defeated 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 45 minutes by Sabalenka, who has won the last two Grand Slam titles in Melbourne. Mirra Andreeva, a Russian adolescent, defeated Ons Jabeur of Tunisia 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) and is currently her opponent. “She’s trying to get to every ball and make you play an extra shot so that’s really difficult,” Sabalenka said of Bouzkova, who is ranked 44th.
“I came into this match really focused and I’m really glad I was able to put her under pressure and finish it in straight sets.”
After defeating former world number two Jabeur in a high-caliber match, the 17-year-old Andreeva demonstrated her impressive potential.
The 2022 and 2023 Wimbledon runners-up, Jabeur, has been sidelined since August due to a shoulder issue.
She broke Jabeur once in the first set, and Andreeva recovered from two breaks of her own service in the second set to force a tiebreak, demonstrating her ability to handle Jabeur’s deft shotmaking.She finished the match in ninety minutes after blasting through the tiebreak.
“It was mentally hard to keep pushing and playing aggressively because we all know that she’s very good at playing games — drop shots, slices,” Andreeva explained.
Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina and Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova will face off in the second women’s semi-final.
When Australian Jordan Thompson was forced to quit due to injury, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov had an easy passage in the men’s draw, leading 6-1, 2-1.Dimitrov, a two-time winner of the Brisbane title, will face Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the semifinals.
French sensation Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard defeated another Czech, Jakub Mensik, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), making it 75 aces in three games.
Mpetshi Perricard is headed to a semi-final matchup with either Reilly Opelka or Novak Djokovic and has yet to drop a serve.
On January 12, the Australian Open will begin.
