Aryna Sabalenka avoids Australian Open upset against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Yesterday at 05:07 AM

MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time champion at the Australian Open, survived a major scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to advance to the semifinals. Sabalenka was twice a break down in the deciding set, but recovered to claim a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory and a 19th straight win at Melbourne Park. With both players winning just over 60 percent of their first-serve points for the match, it was second-serve points that made the difference. Sabalenka won that battle in the first and third sets; Pavlyuchenkova won it in the second. She will play her good friend...