As both players bring 10-match winning streaks to Melbourne, their Australian Open clash carries weight beyond the court, with the Ukrainian player continuing the no-handshake policy against her Belarusian rival.
MELBOURNE — When Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina step onto Rod Laver Arena for their Australian Open semifinal, the focus will inevitably split between the tennis and the tense geopolitical backdrop that has framed their previous meetings.
World No. 1 Sabalenka, the powerful defending champion from Belarus, is chasing a third Australian Open title in four years. She enters her 14th major semifinal riding a wave of momentum, having claimed the Brisbane title to start 2026.
Across the net stands Svitolina, the Ukrainian veteran who has stormed back into the top 10 after maternity leave and a mental health break. She needed just 59 minutes to dispatch No. 3 Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, playing what she described as “perfect tennis.”
Their semifinal carries an accepted subplot: there will be no handshake at the net, in line with Ukraine’s policy for matches against athletes from Russia and Belarus since the invasion.
“I feel like I bring this light, a little light, even just positive news to Ukrainian people,” Svitolina said of her deep run, which has captivated her war-torn nation.
Sabalenka, who has expressed support for peace, holds a 5–1 career edge over Svitolina. Known for her explosive power and social media presence, she remains focused solely on the match.
“Whoever makes it there, it’s an incredible player,” Sabalenka said. “I’ll just go, and I’ll be focused on myself and on my game.”
Svitolina acknowledged the challenge. “She’s very consistent. I’ll have to find the little holes, little opportunities in her game.”
In the other semifinal, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina — who ended Iga Świątek’s career Grand Slam bid — will face sixth-seeded American Jessica Pegula, who is seeking her first major final.
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