Sabalenka has loved serene progress in Melbourne to this point and has additionally seen a few of her title rivals exit early.
World primary Swiatek’s first two matches have saved her on courtroom for greater than 5 hours, with the Pole having to come back again from the brink in opposition to Danielle Collins within the second spherical.
Third seed Elena Rybakina, who Sabalenka beat in final yr’s closing, was crushed 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 courtroom 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 type this yr, saying in her on-court interview that “Aryna 2024” would beat the Sabalenka of final season.
“I believe right this moment’s efficiency was perfection,” she stated. “There’s all the time one thing to enhance, .
“You simply cannot be pleased with the extent you’re at proper now so that you all the time must 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 closing 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 both Poland’s Magdalena Frech or Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova subsequent, whereas Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova.