Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev both booked their spots in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Tuesday, navigating punishing conditions in Melbourne that pushed the tournament’s extreme heat protocols to the forefront.
In a day defined by soaring temperatures — with forecasts predicting the mercury could climb to 45°C (113°F) — the world No. 1 and the No. 3 seed each delivered performances that underscored their pedigree and mental toughness as the season’s first Grand Slam hurtles toward its climax.
Sabalenka Throws Down a Statement in Blistering Heat
Sabalenka, seeking her third Australian Open crown in four years, showed no signs of discomfort under the searing sun as she dismantled 18-year-old American Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 in the women’s quarterfinal.
The 27-year-old from Belarus wasted little time asserting control, racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and never letting up. Despite conditions that tested even the sport’s toughest competitors, Sabalenka combined power and precision to overwhelm her opponent, who was playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Her victory was so decisive that the roof on Rod Laver Arena was still open for most of the match, even as tournament officials monitored extreme heat thresholds. Only after Sabalenka’s win did officials activate stricter heat protocols, shutting roofs on center courts and suspending play on outdoor courts to protect players.
“For me it was just about focusing on each point,” Sabalenka said after the match, acknowledging the challenge of battling both an opponent and punishing heat. “I felt good physically, and I knew I had to take control early.”
Her semifinal opponent will come from the winners of Coco Gauff vs. Elina Svitolina, a matchup that promises a contrast in styles and an intriguing tactical battle. Sabalenka’s blend of power and aggression will be tested by both opponents, but her form in Melbourne has marked her as a clear title contender.
Zverev Edges Past Tien in Roller-Coaster Battle
Later in the day, Zverev took center stage under the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, where conditions were considerably more temperate than outside. There, he earned a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-6(3) victory over American Learner Tien to secure his place in the last four.
The match was a study in contrast: Zverev, the more experienced Grand Slam campaigner, leaned on his heavy serve — hammering down 24 aces and committing only one double fault — while Tien, the 20-year-old rising star, pushed the German to the limit with fearless shot-making and scrappy baseline play.
Zverev’s serve proved the decisive weapon in the final set, but not before he had to dig deep in a tense fourth-set tiebreak to close out the win. “Without my aces I probably would not have won today,” Zverev said on court, reflecting on his performance. “Tien played unbelievable — he gave me absolutely no easy points.”
That Zverev advanced on a day when heat disrupted so much of the schedule was no small feat; his match was played indoors precisely because temperatures outside forced officials to invoke extreme heat rules.
Heat Forces Australian Open into Damage-Control Mode
Tuesday’s procession of quarterfinals was shaped as much by weather as by tennis. Tournament referees activated the Extreme Heat Policy — a safety measure that takes into account temperature, radiant heat and humidity — suspending play on open courts and closing stadium roofs once heat stress thresholds were surpassed.
Officials and players alike were caught in a balancing act between preserving competitive integrity and safeguarding health. The decision to keep Sabalenka’s match outdoors early on — and then move the men’s quarterfinal indoors — reflected that delicate calculus.
Spectators felt the impact too, with far thinner crowds in the day session and many fans seeking shade or air-conditioned respite. Even tournament staff and ball kids were advised on special precautions to mitigate heat exposure.
What Comes Next in Melbourne
With Sabalenka and Zverev both advancing, the Australian Open semifinals are shaping up as a compelling clash of experience, power and rising ambition.
Sabalenka, a two-time champion at Melbourne Park, has rarely looked as comfortable on the big stage. Her pursuit of a fifth Grand Slam title — and a third in four years — brings her face-to-face with either Gauff’s athleticism or Svitolina’s guile.
Zverev, meanwhile, has never claimed a major but has come agonizingly close on several occasions. The German’s semifinal opponent will be determined in Thursday’s late quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur, a marquee match that pits two of the sport’s most captivating young talents against each other.
As Melbourne enters its second week, storylines are emerging that could define this Grand Slam: Sabalenka’s bid for a three-peat, Zverev’s quest for elusive silverware, and the enduring question of whether extreme heat will play spoiler to its champions.
