The Japan Times - Sabalenka survives to set up Melbourne semi with 'emotional' Badosa

Later, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz face off in a quarter-final duel for the ages in Melbourne, with world number two Alexander Zverev awaiting the winner.

Top seed Sabalenka is attempting to win the Australian Open for a third time in a row, something last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis.

The Belarusian kept that dream alive but had to battle for it in beating Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

At 33, Pavlyuchenkova had been enjoying a late-career renaissance and was the oldest remaining woman in the draw.

In the last four Sabalenka plays Badosa, who stunned world number three Gauff 7-5, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena in the first match of the day.

It saw the Spaniard Badosa reach her first Slam semi-final at the age of 27.

"I'm a bit emotional," said Badosa. "I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it.

"I'm super proud of the level I gave today."

It capped a remarkable comeback for the 11th seed, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.

"I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," said Badosa.

Third-seeded American Gauff had been unbeaten in nine matches this season, but she more than met her match in the Spaniard.

The 20-year-old former US Open champion was put under pressure immediately in the first set by the aggressive Badosa, which set the tone.

Gauff described herself as "disappointed but not completely crushed".

- Prime-time -

In hot and windy conditions, Germany's Zverev defeated the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 to step up his quest to win a Grand Slam for the first time.

The 27-year-old was distracted at one point by a feather which floated across court on Rod Laver Arena as he threatened to lose his cool.

The umpire called for a replay due to the feather drifting in front of the German as he played a shot on break point.

"C'mon, that is unbelievable on break point," he shouted, before taking out his fury on Paul by breaking to love.

But Zverev was decisive in the tiebreaks and, after suffering a wobble in the third set, sealed the deal by racing through the fourth.

Zverev will be among the many tuning in when Alcaraz, 21, and Djokovic, 37, meet in a heavyweight late-night clash on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic is looking for his 100th tournament title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

He refused to do a routine on-court interview on Sunday in protest at a TV presenter with host broadcaster Channel Nine, who he accused of "insulting and offensive comments".

Djokovic has a 4-3 edge in matches with Alcaraz and beat the Spaniard in the Paris Olympics final in their last meeting.

But Alcaraz won their last two Slam encounters, the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals, and is already a four-time major winner.

He has never gone beyond the Australian Open quarter-finals however.

Djokovic said he was expecting a "big battle" against the heir to Spanish legend Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz is wary that there is still life in the ageing Serbian yet, on the veteran's favourite court where he has lifted the trophy 10 times.

"When we are seeing him playing, he seems like he's young again, it's unbelievable," said Alcaraz.

M.Fujitav--JT