Reuters
Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reacts during her quarter final match [Source: Reuters]
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said her Australian Open quarter-final loss to top seed Aryna Sabalenka would not blot her solid start to the season and the Russian hoped to carry the momentum forward.
The 27th seed suffered a 6-2 2-6 6-3 defeat but took a set off the defending champion – the first one the Belarusian had dropped at Melbourne Park since the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina.
The 33-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, French Open runner-up in 2021, said the conditions at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday had proved a challenge for both players.
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Despite the loss, there was also satisfaction, she said.
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