Sabalenka: "Today it's not about fear, I've been through this stage before".

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

She told the press conference: "The conditions were crazy, the wind was blowing very hard, so I think it was very tough for both of us.

I couldn't be happier with the way I got the win, it was really tough, so I'm glad I overcame the challenge.

I'm proud of the way I managed to pull myself together in the last set, to get back into the match.

I was able to keep fighting, keep trying, until I turned things around. But yes, it was really tough.

Today, I wasn't scared, I've been through this stage before. I was just trying to figure out how to adapt to the conditions and play better, struggling to find my rhythm, to find solutions to these conditions.

It's not about being afraid, it's about finding a solution. I didn't fight at first, in fact, but in the second set I was forced to find another solution. I'm glad I did."

She had this to say about her friend Paula Badosa, whom she will face in the semi-finals: "She's a great player, a girl who's been through a lot in her career.

She's now back to her best, so I'm happy to see her like this.

I've watched some of her matches in this tournament, and I think she's playing very good tennis, but what I need to do is concentrate on myself.

I have to stay aggressive, put a lot of pressure on her. I'm also very excited to face her in the semi-finals, it's definitely going to be a great battle, I'm looking forward to it."