Aryna Sabalenka overcomes multiple third-set deficits to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Australian Open quarterfinal

Trailing by one set and one point, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova fired a forehand, and the ball found the net. Then, trailing two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 30-0, it appeared that Pavlyuchenkova’s frame might connect with the court.

Instead of an explosive racquet smash, though, the 27^th seed ever so gently placed her Wilson weapon on the hard court below. It barely made a sound.

“That was the nicest, most polite racquet throw I have ever seen,” a smiling Andrea Petkovic said on commentary. (See it to believe it, below.)

For a while, it looked like that faux frame smash might become a trend—for Pavlyuchenkova went on to win that set, 6-2. It was the first time in Sabalenka’s last 26 sets in Melbourne Park that she wasn’t the winner.

But despite Pavlyuchenkova twice leading the world No. 1 by a break in the deciding set, she couldn’t close Sabalenka out, ultimately falling 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

(That said, I still think we might may to teach juniors Pavlyuchenkova’s admirable show of restraint.)

“Honestly, I was just praying today,” Sabalenka said after the one-hour and 53-minute quarterfinal that was compelling throughout. “Was very difficult to play. She played amazing tennis, very aggressive.

“I’m just super happy I was able to somehow, somehow magically win this match.”

For as aggressive as both players played, the quality was high. Sabalenka finished plus-two on the winner-unforced error count, 29 to 27. Pavlyuchenkova finished with 23 apiece. But one Pavlyuchenkova misfire rises above the rest. It wasn’t when she faced a break point, but it gave a reeling Sabalenka a lifeline—and perhaps enough of a sense that she could hold on and “somehow magically win this match.”

Up a set and 1-0, and having earned game point, Pavlyuchenkova had a wide open court down the line, but her backhand strayed wide. She wasn’t out of position, far behind the baseline or under duress—it was a simply a miss. And a costly one.

Sabalenka broke—and Pavlyuchenkova would break back!—but from that point on, you could feel the former French Open finalist battling her nerves as much as her opponent.

Up 2-1, Pavlyuchenkova was broken at love. Serving at 3-4, Pavlyuchenkova reached game point, but couldn’t hold on.

I’m just super happy I was able to somehow, somehow magically win this match. Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka wrapped up the match without drama; Pavlyuchenkova is now 1-8 in Grand Slam quarterfinals.

In describing Pavlyuchenkova’s mistakes during the crucial stages of the third set, ESPN’s Rennae Stubbs called out a “very obvious...sign of nerves.”

It was a nervy performance from Sabalenka, too, but not enough that she fell victim to an upset as her presumptive semifinal opponent, Coco Gauff, did earlier in the day. And so, it will be Paula Badosa who tries to end Aryna’s reign as Australian Open champion.