Sabalenka cruises past Jovic and into AusOpen semis, high temps force play changes

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER-FINAL MATCH BETWEEN ARYAN SABALENKA AND IVA JOVIC. ON COURT SOUNDBITE FROM SABALENKA AFTER WIN. FANS WALKING OUTDOORS AT MELBOURNE PARK, STANDING UNDER COOL WATER MISTERS (COMPLETE SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW) SHOWS: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (JANUARY 27, 2026)(TENNIS AUSTRALIA – See restrictions) 1. AERIAL OF MELBOURNE PARK AT START OF DAY 10 OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN  ARYNA SABALENKA (BELARUS) V IVA JOVIC (USA) STORY: Aryna Sabalenka handed 18-year-old American Iva Jovic a comprehensive 6-3 6-0 defeat at a sweltering Melbourne Park on Tuesday (January 27) to remain on course for a third Australian Open title in four years. The world number one, champion in 2023 and 2024 and runner-up last year, will meet either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina for a place in Saturday's title match. Sabalenka raced into a 3-0 lead in the opener and Jovic was made to work by the Belarusian to hold her serve in the fourth game to gain a foothold in the set. The teenager, appearing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, used her speed around the court to frustrate her more experienced opponent, although Sabalenka eventually closed out the first set in just under an hour. Sabalenka was more dominant in the second set, the 27-year-old firing a cross-court winner beyond Jovic to break serve in the opening game before dominating the remainder of the set to confirm her progress. Just after Sabalenka completed her match, outdoor play was suspended as organizers invoked their extreme heat policy at the Grand Slam.  (Production: David Grip)

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