Australian Open 2023: Women's semi-finals - preview, schedule, how to watch live action
Victoria Azarenka plays Elena Rybakina while Magda Linette will face Aryna Sabalenka in the women's semis in Melbourne. Here's what you need to know about the final four at the opening grand slam of the 2023 tennis season.
Tennis
Two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka, Magda Linette, and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will compete in the women’s semi-finals on Thursday (25 January) at Melbourne Park. Places in the trophy game of the first tennis grand slam of 2023 will be up for grabs.
The four booked their semi-final slots on Wednesday in contrasting style, with the highlight being the continuation of Linette’s dream run, that ensured she qualifies for her first Grand Slam semi-final in 29 attempts.
Olympics.com looks ahead at what to expect in the semis.
Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka
The last eight on the women’s draw featured a Grand Slam quarters debutant in Linette.
After ousting Anett Kontaveit, Ekaterina Alexandrova and WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia, the 30-year-old Linette had a tricky date with a former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova.
The late-blooming Polish player went past Czechia's Pliskova 6-3, 7-5 after 89 minutes.
Up next for the 45th ranked Linette is a meeting with fifth seed Sabalenka, whom she has never beaten in previous meetings.
"I will never forget this. Dreams come true, we keep going,“ said Linette at the post-match press conference.
“I mean, this will stay with me for life, so I'm really grateful. I don't want to get too excited because we're still in the tournament, but I'm super grateful and happy.”
She became the third woman in seven years from Poland, after world No.1 Iga Swiatek and Agnieszka Radwanska to reach an Australian Open semi-final.
Big-hitting Sabalenka remains unbeaten after surviving a tough test against Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2.
The Belarusian fifth seed, who will now play in her fourth major semi-final, has won all nine of her matches this season in straight sets.
"I was calm and I kind of expect this game from her, so I was able to stay in the game no matter what - I think this was the key,“ said Sabalenka.
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka
Three-time Olympian Azarenka’s pursuit for a third Australian Open remained on course as she overcame American third seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
Azarenka, the second Belarusian in the last four, was playing in the quarters for the first time since she gave birth in 2016. Wednesday's triumph was her first top-five-win in a Grand slam since the 2012 US Open.
"I knew from the very first point I had to bring it, to take my opportunities. I'm very proud I executed my game plan very well. It's so amazing to be in the semi-final of another Grand Slam."
The 33-year-old next faces Wimbledon champion Rybakina. She was the first to book her slot in the last four, beating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets of 6-2 6-4. At 23, she is the youngest of the semi-finalists and is the first Kazakh to reach the last four at the Australian Open.
"For sure, I'm going to watch a bit [of] my opponent," said Rybakina, the 22nd seed. "Same time [I] need to a bit forget about tennis, just for a few hours, rest the mind and prepare for again a tough match and battle."
Australian Open women’s semi-finals schedule
(All local timings GMT+11)
Day 11 - Thursday 26 January - Night session - Rod Laver Arena
- 7:30pm - Elena Rybakina (22) vs Victoria Azarenka (24)
- 8:45pm - Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka (5)
Where to watch the Australian Open 2023
Viewers in Australia can watch the Australian Open on the Nine Network, the free-to-air broadcaster. The Nine network is broadcasting across it’s various channels.
In Europe, you can catch the tennis action live on Eurosport. ESPN has the rights in the U.S. where action is also livestreamed on ESPN+.
Highlights can also be found on the official AO YouTube channel.