Djokovic-Paul and Sabalenka-Linette, second semifinals of the Australian Open

Euskaraz irakurri: Djokovic-Paul eta Sabalenka-Linette, Australiako Irekiko bigarren finalerdiak

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and the american Tommy Paul, in the men’s draw, and the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and the polish Magda Linettein the women’s, completed the semifinals of the Australian Open on Wednesday, the first ‘Grand Slam’ of the season.

The nine-time champion seems to have raised his level of tennis with the arrival of the decisive rounds and after sweep Australian Alex de Minauragainst whom he only gave up five games, did something similar against the Russian Andrei Rublevseeded fifth and who fell by 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in just over two hours.

In his 44th semifinal in a “major” and on his way to playing his tenth final at Melbourne Park, “Nole” will have as his opponent the only American who remains with options in the draw, tommy paulwho took the duel against his compatriot and revelation of the tournament, Ben Sheltonin four sets by 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4.

LINETTE EXTENDS HER SLEEP

On the other hand, in the women’s box, the big surprise continues to be given by the Polish Magda Linettenumber 45 in the world and who has been planted two games away from his first title of grand slams after never going through the third round in his career.

Magda Linette. Photo: EFE

linette He has unexpectedly taken the role that seemed reserved for his compatriot and number one in the world Iga Swiatekeliminated in the round of 16, and maintains her dream in Melbourne after beating the Czech with enough solvency Karolina Pliskova for 6-3, 7-5.

Opposite will be the highest seeded woman left alive in the women’s draw, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (fifth), who reached the semifinals for the first time at the Australian Open by beating the Croatian Donna Vekic with authority by 6-3, 6-2.

Sabalenka now hopes to break his curse in the next round and play his first final of grand slams after having fallen to the gates of the final at the United States Open in 2021 and 2022 and at Wimbledon in 2021.

Aryna Sabalenka. Photo: EFE