Sabalenka, Linette reach Australian Open semifinals in women's singles

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Aryna Sabalenka and Magda Linette on Wednesday qualified for the 2023 Australian Open semifinals in women's singles.

Polish player Linette beat Czech national Pliskova with sets of 6-3, 7-5 in a quarterfinal match at Rod Laver Arena to move to the final four in Melbourne.

World no. 5 Sabalenka of Belarus dominated Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2 to meet Linette in the semifinal.

Both Linette and Sabalenka reached the semifinal stage in the Australian Open for the first time in their careers each.

Like Russian players, Sabalenka has been also competing under a neutral flag for Russia's war on Ukraine, which started in February 2022.

The women's singles semifinal will be played on Thursday.

The 2023 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, will run through Jan. 29.

The women's final will be held on Saturday, and it will be followed by the men's final on Sunday.

- Women's semifinal in Australian Open

Elena Rybakina vs. Victoria Azarenka

Magda Linette vs. Aryna Sabalenka​​​​​​​