MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Naturally there'll be attention on the backstory when Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina meet in the Australian Open women's semifinals. Top-ranked Sabalenka, who is seeking a third title in four years in Australia,

Svitolina ousted Gauff with just three lost games to reach the Australian Open semifinal.

Elina Svitolina defeats Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The win sends Svitolina to the semifinals where she faces Aryna Sabalenka

She will need every bit of energy and inspiration in the semifinals against Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion. Sabalenka is from Belarus. Svitolina has not shaken the hand of a player from Russia or Belarus since 2022.