Australian Open Lookahead: Women's Semifinals in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) LOOKAHEAD TO THURSDAY

Victoria Azarenka continues her quest for a third Australian Open title a decade after her last championship at Melbourne Park when she plays Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in one of two night women's semifinals. Unseeded Magda Linette plays No. 5-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the other. The now 33-year-old Azarenka won the 2012 and 2013 titles in Australia but she has not been back to the final four since. Azarenka has beaten three Americans 2020 Australian champion Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys and No. 3-seeded Jessica Pegula en route to her first semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam tournament since the 2020 U.S. Open. Rybakina's wins this year include last year's finalist Danielle Collins and No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek. Rybakina beat Azarenka in straight sets in the third round of last years Indian Wells tournament in their only previous meeting. Sabalenka has beaten Linette in both previous matches they've played, including the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.