Aryna Sabalenka matches Martina Hingis in reaching a fourth final in a row at Melbourne Park

Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals or better at 11 of her last 12 majors during an incredible run in which she has won all four grand slam titles and never lost before the quarterfinals.

Sabalenka’s dominant performance extended another two weeks of mismatches, and the Rod Laver Arena crowd’s entertainment came from watching the Belarusian performer’s constant racket fireworks; This was all the more impressive because of the small number of mistakes he made.

The 27-year-old was the winner of almost twice as many unforced errors (15 to 29) and was unforgiving when Svitolina offered her something short.

He also overcame a controversial obstruction call on the first point of the fourth game; Here the chief referee decided that his grunting had gone on for too long.

A subsequent video review confirmed this decision, to which Sabalenka reacted negatively, but managed to earn the first break of the game after crushing Svitolina from the back of the court. However, Sabalenka was still confused about the post-match call.

“This has never happened to me, especially because I grunt,” he said.

Elina Svitolina had a hard time, but could not compete with Sabalenka in the semi-finals.Credit: EddieJim

“I think… the ball was deep and the bounce was wrong and it was just like the timing. I was exhaling and it just happened naturally. Then he called out and I was like: ‘What? What’s wrong with you?’

“I guess it was the wrong decision, but whatever. How do I say it?” [it] In a nice way? It really pissed me off and it actually helped me and benefited my game. I was more aggressive. “I wasn’t happy with that call, so he really helped me get that play.”

Sabalenka’s only mistake was a loose play on serve to start the second set; this ended with a succession of unforced errors and included a separate double fault – but he returned to serve again in the fourth game and never looked back.

Svitolina, who will return to the top 10 next week for the first time since the birth of her daughter with French player Gael Monfils in October 2022, said Sabalenka was “hot”.