“An incredible achievement, but the job’s not done yet,” Sabalenka said.
“Super happy with the win, she’s such a tough opponent, was playing really incredible tennis throughout the whole week and just super happy to be through this tough match.”
The powerful right-hander said she’d watched Svitolina progress through the AO 2026 draw, adding that the Ukrainian’s notable upsets over third seed Coco Gauff and eighth seed Mirra Andreeva helped her formulate a game plan.
“I’ve been watching her game, she was playing incredible against Mirra, against Coco, overall throughout the tournament,” Sabalenka said.
“I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could back on her, and I’m glad that the level was there today. I played great tennis and happy to get the win in straight sets.”
Sabalenka, 27, and Svitolina entered the clash as arguably the two most in-form players of the season, having hoisted trophies at the Brisbane International and Auckland’s ASB Classic respectively, and earned their AO semifinal berths without surrendering a set.
Under pressure within minutes after a pair of early unforced errors, the top seed saved two break points in her opening service game before producing a pair of scorching forehand winners to hold.
Later, after holding for a 2-1 lead, Sabalenka lost the opening point of the fourth game when chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell ruled that a noise made by the top seed after striking a forehand she thought was flying long to be a hindrance.
The call was upheld after a video review and Sabalenka, perhaps fuelled with additional motivation, earned her first break of the match with a cross-court forehand that drew an error from her talented rival. The four-time major champion then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.
The world No.1 had an opportunity to snare a double break but was denied by Svitolina, who strategically fired a 144km/h second serve into Sabalenka’s body, effectively jamming the powerful right-hander.
But on return, the 12th seed, supported a team that includes her husband and two-time AO men’s singles quarterfinalist Gael Monfils, had little success disrupting Sabalenka’s rhythm.
Serving to stay in the set at 2-5, Svitolina saved two set points before Sabalenka produced a stunning backhand cross-court winner to capture the set.
