Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka says she’s primed to challenge for Ashleigh Barty’s world No.1 crown after downing an elite opponent at the Adelaide International.
Sabalenka, the world No.12, outgunned second seed and world No.4 Simona Halep 6-4 6-2 in a quarter-final at Memorial Drive on Thursday.
Sabalenka set up a semi-final against Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, who toppled Croatian Donna Vekic 6-4 6-3 in her quarter-final.
Australia’s Barty plays for a semi-final slot on Thursday night against Czech Marketa Vondrousova in a rematch of last year’s French Open final.
That victor meets the winner of the quarter-final between American Danielle Collins against fourth seed Belinda Bencic.
Last year, Sabalenka defeated Barty in a semi-final at the ATP tournament in Wuhan, China – her third win in five matches against the Queenslander.
Asked if her win over Halep showed the tennis world she had the potential to be a world No.1, Sabalenka replied: “I knew it before.”
“Of course I’m happy with this win, especially against big fighters like Simona … (it) feels good.”
The 21-year-old forecast a full-throttle duel in her semi-final against Ukrainian world No.24 Yastremska, with both renowned for their power play.
“She’s aggressive player, it will be really quick tomorrow,” Sabalenka said.
“But I like this (style of) game … it’s interesting to watch, powerful players.”