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'Trophy or nothing' as Aryna Sabalenka savours 'tough to believe' success after making semi-finals again with win over Iva Jovic

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Aryna Sabalenka reached another Grand Slam semi-final as she beat 18-year-old Iva Jovic in straight sets, 6-3 6-0, at the Australian Open. The world No. 1 says sometimes it is "unbelievable what I was able to achieve" ahead of facing Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina. Jovic enjoyed an impressive run in Melbourne and revealed afterwards that she had been getting tips from Novak Djokovic.

Highlights: Dominant Sabalenka brushes aside Jovic to storm into semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

Aryna Sabalenka admits her success is sometimes "tough to believe" after she reached a fourth-straight Australian Open semi-final with victory over Iva Jovic.

The world No.1 won the Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024, and last year was beaten in the final by Madison Keys.

She has now made at least the semi-finals in 12 of the last 13 majors she has played in.

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"When I'm in the tournament, I'm not thinking about that, but sometimes we all stop for a second and we think the level we were able to reach, it sounds really incredible and tough to believe," said Sabalenka following her win.

"For sure, everyone sometimes, I just think that it's unbelievable what I was able to achieve. I think what's really helping me to be there all the time is the focus that I'm having, focusing on the right things definitely helps a lot with the consistency."

Sabalenka needed just one hour and 29 minutes to dispatch 18-year-old Jovic on Rod Laver Arena.

The top seed struck 31 winners to just 12 from Jovic and is yet to drop a set at the tournament.

Sabalenka lauds 'incredible player' Jovic after racing into semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

"The second set I felt like I had to step in and put even more pressure on her, because I can see that she's young, she's hungry," added Sabalenka.

"And I could tell during the match that no matter what's the score, she's still going to be there trying and trying to figure her way.

"I knew that I have to step in and show the level and the class. I think it really helped me kind of just go for my shots and help me to trust my game.

"That was definitely an amazing performance in the second set."

Sabalenka will face either third seed Coco Gauff or 12th seed Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals, with her eyes firmly on another title.

"I think every player when they get to the tournament is trophy or nothing.

"The mentality is the same, and it's always in the back of your mind that obviously you want to win it. But I'm trying to shift my focus on the right things and taking it step by step and just trying my best in each match, each point, each game, each set. That's my mentality."

Jovic had impressed in reaching the quarters of a Grand Slam for the first time without dropping a set.

Watch as Jovic fires shot 'straight at opponent' Sabalenka during quarter-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

But she found Sabalenka's power and precision a step too much.

"I think Aryna played very well," said Jovic.

"I could have done some things differently, but that's tennis. I think it's amazing what she's done for herself in her career. It's very inspiring.

"I think the way she's been able to use all the negative things that have happened to her on-court and in her personal life as well and turned them into motivation and fuel to be better is amazing.

"I hope to get more chances to play against her, and she was very nice at the end of the match, as well. Hopefully, I can get some more chances to get her back."

Jovic has been tipped as a future world No. 1 by Novak Djokovic, who said "she has all the tools to be a future champion".

Jovic revealed that Djokovic has been in contact with her during the tournament to give her advice.

"He did text me with some more tips throughout the rounds…we've been in communication, and I feel like we've built a little bit of a relationship now, which is amazing, and I wish him all the best for the rest of the tournament.

"Hopefully, throughout the year I can keep having more moments with him and encouragement, because it's been amazing."

Sabalenka super confident for semi-finals: 'Doesn't matter who I'm facing'

Video credit: SNTV

Jovic also revealed what part of Djokovic’s game she would most like to emulate.

"I think that the way that Novak is able to almost suffocate his opponents with playing the moments differently, playing all the big points, showing them that, ‘hey, I can play defence, I can play offence, I'm going to be here every single point’.

"I think that the way he goes about the game is very impressive. I think it was Andre Agassi who made the comparison of Novak to a boxer and the way that he's going in for punches and then faking them out a little bit.

"I think that the way that he approaches the match is very impressive, and hopefully one day I can emulate that."

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