The world number one reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Iva Jovic on Tuesday (27.01.26) and is proud of the consistency that has seen her reach the last four at 12 of the past 13 Grand Slam events.

Sabalenka said post-match: "When I'm in the tournament, I'm not thinking about that, but sometimes we all stop for a second and we think the level we were able to reach, it sounds really incredible and tough to believe.

"For sure, everyone sometimes, I just think that it's unbelievable what I was able to achieve. I think what's really helping me to be there all the time is the focus that I'm having, focusing on the right things definitely helps a lot with the consistency."

Sabalenka needed less than an hour and a half to see off the challenge of American teenager Jovic and was particularly pleased with how she dealt with the threat posed by the 18-year-old in the second set.

The four-time major champion said: "The second set I felt like I had to step in and put even more pressure on her, because I can see that she's young, she's hungry.

"And I could tell during the match that no matter what's the score, she's still going to be there trying and trying to figure her way.

"I knew that I have to step in and show the level and the class. I think it really helped me kind of just go for my shots and help me to trust my game.

"That was definitely an amazing performance in the second set."

Sabelenka is eyeing a third title in Melbourne and has a "trophy or nothing" approach to the event.

The Belarusian ace said: "I think every player when they get to the tournament is trophy or nothing.

"The mentality is the same, and it's always in the back of your mind that obviously you want to win it. But I'm trying to shift my focus on the right things and taking it step by step and just trying my best in each match, each point, each game, each set. That's my mentality."