AO 2026 Semi Final: Sabalenka v Svitolina

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba watch your margins

 

[britbox]

Saba will have to serve it out. 5-3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba will serve for the match 5 3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done Saba

 

[britbox]

Congrats to Saba. I didn't think Elena was too bad - more that Sabalenka was just too good.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to Elina good tournament making the SF

Elina back into the top ten

 

[britbox]

Match Highlights:

 

[britbox]

Press Conference:

Elina Svitolina L 2-6 3-6 v Aryna Sabalenka, AO SF



Leo AI Transcript Summary

Match Analysis​

• Overall performance: Happy with her two-week run in Australia and New Zealand, though disappointed not to advance further
• Opponent's level: Acknowledged Sabalenka (world #1) was "on fire" with 24 winners and only 12 unforced errors
• Her weaknesses: Felt her serve wasn't good enough and prevented her from putting sufficient pressure on Sabalenka
• Return game: Believed she returned well, but Sabalenka's second shot after serve was "unbelievable"
• Score reflection: Felt the scoreline didn't fully reflect the match quality

Tournament Positives​

• Movement and adaptability: Pleased with her footwork and ability to adjust to different playing styles
• Form and confidence: Feels she's in good form and can draw confidence from the past three weeks
• Room for improvement: Acknowledged she's "not too far" from challenging top players but still has work to do

Ukraine and Perspective​

• Motivation: Draws inspiration from Ukrainian people watching and supporting her matches
• Gratitude: Feels "very lucky" and believes she shouldn't be too sad given the difficult situation in Ukraine
• Impact: Values the "exchange of positive emotions" with people back home who are living through difficult times
• Support: Continues helping through her foundation and fundraising platforms
• Sports' role: Believes sports unite Ukraine during dark times and provide much-needed positivity

Other Topics​

• Serena Williams: Expressed surprise at rumours of a potential comeback, saying it would be "amazing for the sport"

 

[britbox]

Press Conference:

Aryna Sabalenka W 6-2 6-3 v Elina Svitolina, AO SF



Leo AI Transcript Summary

Tournament and Venue​

• Expresses deep love for Melbourne and the Australian Open.
• States that the stadium and atmosphere bring out her best tennis.
• Enjoys her time in Melbourne and feels a strong connection to the place.

Current Form and Mindset​

• Prefers not to compare her current form to past performances.
• Believes in focusing on the present and taking things one day at a time.
• Feels confident in her preseason training and current performance.
• Emphasizes mental readiness and a new mindset for finals.

Finals Experience and Improvement​

• Reflects on past final losses and identifies mental errors as the root cause.
• Has developed a more resilient, battle-ready mentality for future finals.
• States she is now prepared to fight for every point and accept whatever comes in a final.
• Believes this shift in mindset will help her perform at her best in high-pressure moments.

Match Incident: Hindrance Call​

• Describes the hindrance call during the match as unexpected and unfair.
• Explains her natural reaction (exhaling) was due to timing and ball bounce, not intentional.
• Says the call upset her but ultimately helped her play more aggressively.
• Supports the idea that if a call is not in her control, she accepts it and moves on.
• Jokes that the umpire should call it again if she wants to play even better.

Match Against Elina Svitolina​

• Acknowledges Svitolina as a powerful player with heavy, flat shots.
• Respects their long history and previous battles.
• Views the upcoming match as a fresh challenge, not a repeat of past encounters.
• Emphasizes that both players have evolved and are now stronger mentally and physically.

Post-Match Etiquette​

• Respects the rule that players cannot greet each other after matches.
• States she does not dwell on the absence of a handshake or goodbye.
• Values mutual respect between players and believes it’s reflected in their on-court interactions.

Personal Items and Moments​

• Wears a blue sapphire necklace symbolising the Australian sky, waves, and ocean.
• Says the necklace is meaningful and reflects her connection to Australia.

Other Players and Future Possibilities​

• Responds positively to speculation about Serena Williams’ potential return.
• Says she supports Serena’s happiness and would be excited to see her back.
• Believes Serena has a unique personality and would be fun to watch again.
• Does not recall any locker room discussions about Serena’s return.

Reflection on Legacy​

• Avoids thinking about defining an era or making history.
• Prefers to focus on the present and do her job well.
• Believes legacy will be assessed in the future, not during her career.
• Acknowledges Świątek as a top player with a strong record.

 

[Front242]

Wow, I don't know why the Ukrainians aren't entitled to small protests. Their country is being pummeled, and right now, in the midst of a very cold winter, Putin has deliberately attacked the heating plants that heat their homes. Deliberately freezing them. Now, IMO, tennis is making a toothless statement by continuing not to show Russian and Belarussian flags next to players names. So what? But I'd leave the Ukrainian players alone. They haven't been really overtly political on court beyond the refusal to shake hands. I'll be rooting for Svitolina to give her country a boost, though I won't hold out much hope for her to win it. I like Saba a lot, anyway.

I don't mind the noise, but @MargaretMcAleer, since you'll be there live, I guess earplugs are your only option. I hope you get a good match!

Because it has absolutely nothing to do with tennis so they can take their nonsense elsewhere.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW
I am pleased to inform that after last nights SF match Saba and Elina my hearing remains intact!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Because it has absolutely nothing to do with tennis so they can take their nonsense elsewhere.

Moxie,
Marta Kostyuk a Ukrainian tennis player, was just over the top when she was defeated by Saba in the Brisbane tournament just before the AO, though she has a long history of doing this in matches, she didnt even acknowledge Saba on court, of course refused to have a picture with her, and then ranted on about her sister in Ukraine not having blankets to keep warm, I empathize with, but the war has nothing to do with tennis, and I have to agree with Fronty 100%, also Saba has said many times she feels the pain for Ukraine people, she also acknowledge Kostyuk and her team for a great tournament and wished Marta all the best for the 2026 season, pity Marta could not show sportsmanshiop on the podium.

 

[kskate2]

Wow, I don't know why the Ukrainians aren't entitled to small protests. Their country is being pummeled, and right now, in the midst of a very cold winter, Putin has deliberately attacked the heating plants that heat their homes. Deliberately freezing them. Now, IMO, tennis is making a toothless statement by continuing not to show Russian and Belarussian flags next to players names. So what? But I'd leave the Ukrainian players alone. They haven't been really overtly political on court beyond the refusal to shake hands. I'll be rooting for Svitolina to give her country a boost, though I won't hold out much hope for her to win it. I like Saba a lot, anyway.

I don't mind the noise, but @MargaretMcAleer, since you'll be there live, I guess earplugs are your only option. I hope you get a good match!

Tennis players are not at fault for their country being pummeled. Why take a personal stance against someone who doesn't have anything to do w/ it? It would be the same if folks were to blame all U.S. citizens for things the administration/government is doing. I would hope people from other countries would separate us from our government's actions and not hold it against us.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Margaret's photos from the AO

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Svitolina moved into the Top Ten after her good run at the AO
A bit of history made in the WTA
Elina Svitolina (10) and Belinda Bencic (9) are the first mothers ranked inside the WTA Top Ten.....history made

 

[Vince Evert]

flashscore stats re. the ladies semifinal -

Aryna Sabalenka - Elina Svitolina 2:0

WTA - SINGLES: Australian Open (Australia), hard - Semi-finals

www.flashscore.com.au