Women will take centre stage at AO 2026 on Thursday as the semifinals get under way, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina both entering on the back of a one-day break from competition.
Sabalenka is chasing her third AO crown at Melbourne Park and will face Svitolina for a spot in the final, which she lost to American Madison Keys last year.
With Keys now out of the race, as well as compatriot Coco Gauff, the women’s draw is wide open.
“It doesn't matter who is going to make it to the semis. It's going to be a battle because whoever makes it there it's an incredible player,” Sabalenka said after downing teenager Iva Jovic 6-3 6-0, while Svitolina dismissed Gauff in straight sets.
“My approach is going to be the same, it doesn't matter whom I'm facing. I'll be focused on myself and on my game, and I'll be fighting for every point.”
Sabalenka has been flawless to date but faces a tough opponent in Svitolina, who is playing with rigor after making the difficult decision to take time off last year.
The Ukrainian has put that respite down to her red-hot early-season form, which includes title honours at a warm-up event in Auckland.
“If I wouldn't stop, if I would keep pushing last year, I think I wouldn't start here,” Svitolina said.
“I would be exhausted, and even not sure if I would be injury-free because when you play at the highest level, and you push yourself, and you are on the edge, this is where the injuries happen. This is where the tension is just too much, and your body gives up.
"So, for me, it was important to just step back, and I'm very happy that I did that. Of course, now it's easy to say because the results have been great, with winning Auckland and playing well here, but I still think it's something that helped me.”
The experienced Svitolina, 31, has diversified her game and found new ways to win, playing aggressively against younger rivals, and that will surely be no different when she faces 27-year-old Sabalenka, who has cemented her spot in the sport as world No.1.
“If you're not at your best, they are just taking the match from you. So, you have to evolve your game. You have to be better. You have to try to find the ways to find something that works for you,” Svitolina said.
“For me, it's all about trying to be better every week because tennis evolvement is not stopping.
“It's no secret that [Sabalenka’s] a very powerful player. She was playing great tennis, and I think, you know, the power on all aspects of her game is her strength. She's very consistent for the past years with everything that she does on the court. I'll have to be ready for that, try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game, then be ready to take them.”
There will be no respite for Elena Rybakina, who will back up for her semifinal against Jessica Pegula after demolishing second seed Iga Swiatek 7-5 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
The No.5 seed has not dropped a set at AO 2026, is riding high on a wave of momentum and shaping as a serious title contender.
“Last season, the last couple of tournaments I played, I gained some confidence throughout tough matches, and this is something I tried to carry to this year,” Rybakina said.
“Still a lot of things to improve, to work on, but the most important thing is I’m trying to stay aggressive.”
Pegula had eyes on Rybakina’s match — the pair are 3-3 head-to-head — before she beat American compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-2 7-6(1) to advance.
“I play some really good tennis here, I’ve been waiting for the time where I can break through,” Pegula said.
“I felt like I could win the rallies and put pressure on her serve, I told myself to gear up. It was tough serving it out. It was windy so I had to play into the conditions and work on my footwork.”