Aryna Sabalenka scraped into the Australian Open semi-finals as she defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets. (More Tennis News)
Two-time reigning champion Sabalenka, who is hunting a record-equalling third straight title at Melbourne Park, prevailed 6-2 2-6 6-3 in one hour and 53 minutes.
Sabalenka appeared on course to cruise through to the last four, and a clash with Paula Badosa, when she took the opening set with ease.
Yet underdog Pavlyuchenkova hit back with three breaks of Sabalenka's serve.
The pair exchanged two breaks each in a nervy start to the decider, but Sabalenka was the first to regain her composure.
Two unforced errors from Pavlyuchenkova handed the Belarusian the key break at 5-3, and from there it was a case of Sabalenka serving out a victory that moves her one step closer to history.
Data Debrief: Sabalenka strikes again
Sabalenka is the first woman to win 19+ consecutive singles matches at the Australian Open since Martina Hingis, who claimed 27 successive wins at the event between 1997 and 2000.
The 26-year-old has now reached six hard-court major semi-finals, becoming the first woman to do so since Serena Williams between the 2014 US Open and 2017 Australian Open.
