Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina, Australian Open 2026 semi-finals: Head-to-head, match schedule and how to watch live

Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina head to the semi-final of the Australian Open 2026, setting up their seventh career meeting when they step on to Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night (30 January).

For Sabalenka, this is very familiar territory.

Late in the tournament, on a hard court, in Melbourne, in the final days of January, has become a regular stage for the world No. 1, who is chasing a fourth consecutive Australian Open final and a potential third title in Melbourne. And she has looked every bit the defending champion along the way. The 27-year-old has yet to drop a set this tournament, and has tallied 143 winners across her first five matches, more than any player remaining in the draw.

Waiting across the net is world No. 12 Svitolina, who has taken a much longer route to get here.

After three quarter-final exits in Melbourne (2018, 2019, 2023) over 13 tournament appearances, the 31-year-old Ukrainian has finally pushed through to her first Australian Open semi-final. Along the way, she knocked out two top-10 opponents, including an impressive 59-minute dismantling of world No. 3 Coco Gauff.

Also unbeaten in 2026, Svitolina arrives playing some of the best tennis of her career, with a chance to reach a maiden final at this major.

Both players arrived in Melbourne with momentum already in hand this season, Sabalenka taking the title in Brisbane and Svitolina claiming the crown in Auckland.

But only one will make it through to Saturday’s final (31 January).

Here is what you need to know ahead of Sabalenka vs Svitolina.

Australian Open 2026: Full order of play, Thursday 29 January - all matches, complete schedule at first Grand Slam tennis tournament of season

Australian Open 2026 quarter-final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina head-to-head record

Sabalenka leads Svitolina 5–1 in their career meetings and arrives in the semi-final having won their last four encounters in a row.

Those victories have come across various surfaces and seasons, each reflecting a rivalry that has gradually tilted in the world No. 1’s favour.

Early on, Svitolina could stretch rallies long enough to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm, most notably in her lone win on clay in Strasbourg in 2020. Since then, however, Sabalenka has refused to let points settle.

Their most revealing contest came in Rome two years ago, when Svitolina forced a third-set tiebreak and pushed Sabalenka to the brink. It proved a turning point.

In their subsequent meetings in Cincinnati and Madrid, Sabalenka tightened her patterns, shortened rallies and controlled the middle of the court, denying Svitolina the kind of extended exchanges she prefers.

Svitolina is well aware of the task ahead. “It’s no secret that she’s a very powerful player,” she said of Sabalenka. “The power on all aspects of her game is her strength. She’s very consistent. For me, I have to try to find the little holes, the small opportunities, and be ready to take them.”

After her quarter-final, Sabalenka knew only that her next opponent would be a worthy one. “It's going to be a battle. Whoever makes it there is an incredible player,” she said. “My approach will be the same. I’ll be focused on myself and on my game.”

Thursday's match will be their first meeting at a hard-court major, a significant detail given Sabalenka’s dominance on the surface. She has now reached eight consecutive hard-court Grand Slam semi-finals, converting four of those runs into titles.

Below is a full breakdown of their head-to-heads:

Madrid (2025) Semi-final: Sabalenka 6-3 7-5

Cincinnati (2024) Round of 16: Sabalenka 7-5 6-2

Rome (2024) Round of 16: Sabalenka 4-6 6-1 7-6(7)

Roland Garros (2023) Quarter-final: Sabalenka 6-4 6-4

Strasbourg (2020) Semi-final: Svitolina 6-2 4-6 6-4

Wuhan (2018) Round of 32: Sabalenka 6-4 2-6 6-1

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