Aryna Sabalenka reacts after Ana Ivanovic sends message to her following Australia Open semi-final win

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Ana Ivanovic has been hugely complementary towards Aryna Sabalenka, following her win yesterday.

The Belarusian was in dominant form, and despite facing a buoyed Coco Gauff, she wasted no time in claiming victory, 6-7 (7), 4-6.

It was a win that sends her to a second successive Australian Open final, seeking to defend last year’s crown.

But what did Ivanovic then have to say which left the world number one so humbled? Let’s take a closer look…

What did Ana Ivanovic say about Aryna Sabalenka?

Having failed to drop a single set in her run to the semi-final, many felt like she might meet her match at last against Gauff. 

After all, their last big meeting saw the American come from a set down to claim victory in the US Open final against all the odds.

But, yesterday was not to be the same fairytale, as the faltering first serve of the teenager came under too much pressure.

Sabalenka now sets up a clash in which she will be a heavy favourite, facing the Chinese 12th seed Quinwen Zhang.

The praise showered upon the world number two by Ivanovic, who was once world number one herself, will mean a lot to the reigning champion.

After all, she did reply thanking her, in response to the following message: ‘What an intense match with lots of opportunities for both players. Congrats to @SabalenkaA on reaching the finals back-to-back – determined on defending her title Heads up, @cocogauff it was a strong performance and I’m sure there is still a lot waiting for you this season’.

Aryna Sabalenka has enjoyed a dominant Australian Open

Other than yesterday, in which she overcame fleeting spells of pushback from her opponent, this tournament has been a breeze thus far for Sabalenka.

The 25-year-old, as aforementioned, is yet to drop a set, and up until the match with Gauff had not even been taken to a tiebreak.

Not to mention that she left Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko having failed to win a single game across their third-round match, double-bagelling the 34-year-old.

She has seldom been troubled, and whilst much credit must be given to her opponent for reaching the final, she too is expected to be brushed aside.

When Sabalenka is in this kind of form, it feels like truly nobody can stop her.

Should she maintain the same focus that has gotten her this far on Saturday, she may just be about to cruise to only her second-ever Grand Slam title.