Australian Open: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Takes Positives from Quarterfinal Defeat

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reflected on her Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka, expressing pride in her performance and determination to build on the momentum in future events.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova's Australian Open campaign came to an end on Tuesday with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 quarterfinal loss to top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Despite the defeat, the 33-year-old Russian expressed her determination to carry the momentum from her solid start to the season forward. Pavlyuchenkova acknowledged that her performance in Melbourne was a positive one, saying, “I've had a great start to the season here, so I'll try to take this momentum into the next months.”

Pavlyuchenkova mimicking ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and leaving Aryna wondering the same enroute a stunning second set win!

It's a set apiece and we are into the decider on Rod Laver Arena 😍#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/zis8jcjDu8

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025

Pavlyuchenkova's quarterfinal appearance marked a respectable run for the 27th seed, who managed to take a set off the defending champion – the first set Sabalenka had dropped at Melbourne Park since the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina. Reflecting on her Australian Open campaign, Pavlyuchenkova noted, “I do feel that this year, this event in particular, I've played some really good tennis. Sometimes, I don't know, you're just a bit lucky here and there. You grind some matches out. But here I felt like I was playing really good tennis.”