misfiring service
Sabalenka later took her chances in a physical one-hour first set before running away with the second to reach her fourth Grand Slam semifinal, but first in Melbourne.
Vekic had a 5–1 career record against the Belarusian, but was unable to match the level of the new, improved Sabalenka, who had 13 double faults, which did not help the Croatian’s cause.
Sabalenka also made a lot of unforced errors, but her sometimes weak serve was solid enough, and when her forehands became explosive, it was always becoming more difficult for Vekic to counter them.
Sabalenka committed two double faults for the match, a sign of nerves, but the 24-year-old saved three break points and sealed the victory with a huge forehand that hit a running Vekic to the body.
“I think it was because I was calm and I expected her to play this game, so I was able to stay in the game no matter what. That was the key,” she said of her win.
Linett had no problems reaching her quarterfinal against two-time Grand Slam finalist Pliskova, whose 36 unforced errors thwarted another attempt to win her first major.
“She played really well from the baseline,” Pliskova said. “I couldn’t find any room on the court to go for my winners. Obviously the serve was not very good today.”
