MELBOURNE: Aryna Sabalenka swept to her fourth successive Australian Open final with a 6-2 6-3 win over Ukrainian Elina Svitolina on Thursday in a semifinal overshadowed by geopolitical tension. Top-seeded Belarusian Sabalenka will bid for a third crown at Melbourne Park in four years and fifth Grand Slam title overall against the winner of the late semifinal between Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina at Rod Laver Arena. “I just cannot believe that. It’s an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet,” world number one Sabalenka said on court. “I’m super happy with the win.

Women’s No 1 survives soaring temperature to defeat teenager 6-3, 6-0 as Melbourne Park enacts extreme heat protocols on way to 45C

MELBOURNE: 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…