Elina Svitolina has set up an Australian Open semifinal against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Svitolina thrashed a frustrated Coco Gauff to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open for the first time in her career.
As a result, the Ukrainian has set up a meeting with Sabalenka, who beat Iva Jovic in her quarterfinal.
Sabalenka is the favorite for the Australian Open title, and Svitolina has explained what she thinks is the Belarusian’s biggest weapon.
Elina Svitolina explains what she will try to do against Aryna Sabalenka
Svitolina beat Gauff, 6-1 6-2, in just 59 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach her fourth Grand Slam semifinal and first at the Australian Open.
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After the match, Svitolina headed to her post-match press conference where she was asked about the challenges of playing Sabalenka.
In her response, Svitolina claimed that power is the biggest weapon that Sabalenka has in all areas of her game, as she spoke about what she was going to try and do when they play.
“Of course, I mean, it’s no secret that she’s very powerful player,” said Svitolina. “I watch a little bit of her match today. She was playing great tennis, and I think, you know, the power on all aspects of her game is her strengths.
“Yeah, I think she’s very consistent for the past years with everything that she does on the court. Yeah, for me, I’ll have to be ready for that, try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game.
“Of course, you know, when you play the top players, you have to find, you know, these small opportunities and then be ready to take them.”
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Elina Svitolina’s Head-to-Head vs Aryna Sabalenka
The Australian Open semifinal will be the seventh meeting between the two players, with Sabalenka leading the head-to-head against Svitolina 5-1.
This includes Sabalenka winning all of their past four meetings, with the most recent taking place at the Madrid Open last year.
The only time Svitolina beat Sabalenka came on the clay of Strasbourg nearly six years ago.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2018 | Wuhan Open (R32) | Sabalenka beat Svitolina, 6-4 2-6 6-1 |
| 2020 | Strasbourg Open (SF) | Svitolina beat Sabalenka, 6-2 4-6 6-4 |
| 2023 | Roland Garros (QF) | Sabalenka beat Svitolina, 6-4 6-4 |
| 2024 | Italian Open (R16) | Sabalenka beat Svitolina, 4-6 6-1 7-6(7) |
| 2024 | Cincinnati Open (R16) | Sabalenka beat Svitolina, 7-5 6-2 |
| 2025 | Madrid Open (SF) | Sabalenka beat Svitolina, 6-3 7-5 |
Svitolina will be looking to replicate what she did in Strasbourg when she plays Sabalenka in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday, January 29.
Whatever happens in their upcoming match, Svitolina already knows that she will return to the top 10 for the first time since 2021.
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