The women’s singles draw at the Australian Open delivered two major upsets on Thursday as Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula knocked out higher-seeded opponents to book their places in the semi-finals in Melbourne.
Sixth seed Rybakina produced a commanding performance to eliminate second seed Iga Swiatek, while Pegula followed with a composed victory over fourth seed Amanda Anisimova. The results set up a compelling semi-final clash between Rybakina and Pegula, ensuring a first-time Australian Open finalist from this half of the draw.
Rybakina Ends Swiatek’s Australian Open Dream
For Swiatek, the defeat was another painful chapter in her quest to conquer the only Grand Slam title missing from her résumé. Despite entering the tournament as one of the favorites, the Pole struggled to find rhythm against Rybakina’s aggressive baseline play and powerful serve.
Rybakina sealed a 7-5, 6-1 victory, capitalizing on a mistake-laden performance from Swiatek. The world No. 2 committed 25 unforced errors and managed just 10 winners, numbers that proved costly against the steady and relentless Kazakhstani.
By contrast, Rybakina delivered a far cleaner performance, striking 25 winners while limiting her unforced errors to 19. Her ability to control rallies from the back of the court and step inside the baseline on second serves tilted the contest decisively in her favor.
“I’m really pleased with the win,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview. “We know each other pretty well, and I was trying to stay aggressive. In the first set, the first serve wasn’t working for either of us, so we both tried to put pressure on second serves.”
Key Moments That Defined the Match
The opening set was tightly contested, with both players trading breaks early. Rybakina showed resilience at 1-1, saving three break points before maintaining her composure to stay level. The decisive moment came in the 12th game, when she broke Swiatek’s serve to clinch the set 7-5.
From there, momentum swung firmly in Rybakina’s direction. She stormed through the opening games of the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead and never looking back. Swiatek failed to generate a single break point in the set as Rybakina closed out the match in emphatic fashion.
The victory marks Rybakina’s first Grand Slam semi-final appearance since Wimbledon 2024. A former Wimbledon champion in 2022 and Australian Open finalist in 2023, the 26-year-old once again looks comfortable on the Melbourne hard courts.
“In the second set, I played more freely, served better, and everything started to work,” Rybakina added. “I’m really happy with how I finished the match.”
Pegula Makes History With Win Over Anisimova
Earlier on Thursday, Pegula produced a landmark performance of her own, defeating Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) to reach the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in her career.
The victory carried historical significance. At 31, Pegula became the first woman in the Open Era (since 1968) to reach her first three Grand Slam semi-finals after turning 30, underlining her consistency and late-career surge at the highest level.
Pegula dominated the opening set, using depth and precision to keep Anisimova on the defensive. The American wrapped up the set 6-2, appearing firmly in control.
A Dramatic Second Set Turnaround
The second set, however, told a very different story. Neither player managed a break through the first seven games, with both holding serve under mounting pressure. Anisimova finally broke through to take a 5-3 lead, putting herself in position to force a deciding set.
But Pegula responded with trademark resilience. She broke back immediately, then earned another break to move ahead 6-5. Anisimova refused to fade, breaking Pegula’s serve to force a tiebreaker.
In the breaker, Pegula elevated her game at exactly the right moment. After dropping the opening point, she rattled off seven consecutive points to secure the match and her place in the semi-finals.
“I felt like it was coming,” Pegula said afterward. “I play some really good tennis here and I like the conditions. Even in matches I’ve lost in the past, I felt I played well. I’ve been waiting for the moment to break through.”
A Fascinating Semi-Final Matchup Awaits
Pegula’s reward is a semi-final meeting with Rybakina, a matchup that promises high-quality tennis. The pair have split six previous encounters, with Rybakina winning their most recent meeting at the WTA Finals last season.
For Pegula, a victory would send her into her second career Grand Slam final. For Rybakina, it would be another opportunity to claim a second major title and complete unfinished business in Melbourne after her runner-up finish three years ago.
Both players arrive in the semi-finals brimming with confidence, having dispatched top-four seeds with authority. Their contrasting styles—Pegula’s counterpunching consistency against Rybakina’s raw power—set the stage for a compelling showdown.
Women’s Draw Wide Open After Quarter-Final Upsets
The exits of Swiatek and Anisimova have blown the women’s draw wide open, reinforcing the depth and unpredictability of the WTA Tour. With multiple former finalists and champions still in contention, the race for the Australian Open crown remains fiercely competitive.
As the tournament heads into its final stages, fans can expect more drama, momentum shifts, and defining moments under the Melbourne lights.
How to Watch Australian Open 2026
Fans can continue to follow all the action from Melbourne with live coverage of the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports+, the Sky Sports app, and streaming service NOW.