Aryna Sabalenka will take on Karolína Muchová in the semifinals of the Brisbane International. The Czech booked her place in the final four by snapping Elena Rybakina’s 13-match winning streak, beating the Kazakh 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Karolína Muchová Reflects on Facing Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane
Muchová, who entered the Brisbane International as the 11th seed, surpassed Ajla Tomljanović in the round of 32 and then defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 7-5. In the quarterfinal, she broke Rybakina’s 13-game winning streak with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 at the Pat Rafter Arena.
During the post-game press conference, the current World No. 20 shed light on her history with Sabalenka, whom she has faced four times in her career and is leading their head-to-head 3-1. The duo last clashed in the quarterfinals of the 2024 China Open, with Muchová clinching the win with a score of 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4.
While acknowledging their competitiveness, the Czech star admitted that she is expecting a fiery duel, as both have improved their form over time.
She also highlighted that the draw is highly competitive, mentioning, “I honestly don’t think we played last year, so, you know, if it’s year and a half back, so for sure we both are different players than we were before. But yeah, these matches before, again, it was very long battles.”
“I think always three-setter and could go either way, and it went mine. So all I’m expecting is a tough battle. The draw is crazy strong out here for a 500 tournament, so just expecting another tough battle,” Muchová added.
During the press conference, Muchová also reflected on her pre-season preparation, which enabled her to perform at her best in the first tournament of her 2026 season. She added, “Just try to prepare as best as I can. Maybe work a few more things, I would say more technically my serve, and then the other stuff, a lot of stuff in the gym.”
Muchová is coming off a season in which she fell short of clinching a title, but despite that, she delivered impressive performances throughout the year. She reached the semifinal rounds at the Linz Open and Dubai Tennis Championships. Apart from this, she reached the quarterfinals at the US Open and the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Whoever out of the Czech and Sabalenka wins, will take on either fourth seed Jessica Pegula or 16th seed Marta Kostyuk in the final of the Brisbane International.
