Australian Open 2026: Will anyone deny Aryna Sabalenka her third title in Melbourne?

While the results may suggest she has enjoyed a relatively quiet progress, Sabalenka admitted she was “all over the place emotionally” earlier in the tournament.

This has been an issue that, at times, has derailed her pursuit of the biggest prizes in the sport, and she has worked with a psychologist to improve this aspect of her game.

Sabalenka lost two Grand Slam finals last year, the first to Keys in Melbourne, before committing 70 unforced errors in the French Open against Coco Gauff.

Going through two close tiebreaks against Anastasia Potapova in the third round is something Sabalenka accepts that she may not have had the mental resilience to achieve five years ago, when she was probably “too focused on the way she feels.”

However, Sabalenka’s impressive form at recent Grand Slams – where she has reached the semi-finals in 14 of her last 17 Grand Slams – means she is right at home at the Grand Slam end.

Not least when competing on hard courts, on which she has won the past six semi-finals.

“What I’ve been able to achieve is incredible. What really helps me to be there all the time is the focus I have,” Sabalenka said.

“The mentality is the same, you always have in your mind that you want to win the title. But I’m trying to shift my focus to the right things and take it step by step.”