Sabalenka has loved serene progress in Melbourne thus far and has additionally seen a few of her title rivals exit early.
World primary Swiatek’s first two matches have stored her on court docket for greater than 5 hours, with the Pole having to return again from the brink in opposition to Danielle Collins within the second spherical.
Third seed Elena Rybakina, who Sabalenka beat in final yr’s last, was overwhelmed in a record-breaking tie-break within the second spherical, whereas fifth seed Jessica Pegula additionally misplaced on Thursday.
Sabalenka, in contrast, has spent slightly below three hours on court docket and has but to be really examined.
She reached the semi-finals of all 4 majors final yr however says she is in even higher kind this yr, saying in her on-court interview that “Aryna 2024” would beat the Sabalenka of final season.
“I feel as we speak’s efficiency was perfection,” she stated. “There may be at all times one thing to enhance, .
“You simply cannot be proud of the extent you’re at proper now so that you at all times need to maintain shifting, maintain bettering.”
She may face a harder take a look at in opposition to Anisimova, who’s enjoying her first main since taking a seven-month break for her psychological well being, and beat former world quantity two Paula Badosa 7-5 6-4.
Sabalenka may doubtlessly meet Gauff, who beat her within the New York last final yr, within the semi-finals.
Gauff has additionally but to drop a set at this yr’s match and was equally dominant in opposition to American compatriot Parks on Friday.
She is going to face Poland’s Magdalena Frech, who beat Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in three units, whereas Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova.