Day 12 Schedule at the 2026 Australian Open
The 2026 Australian Open continues on Thursday, January 29, with a headline semifinal featuring Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The match is scheduled for 10:30 AM Kyiv time and will be broadcast on Eurosport. This marks a career milestone for Svitolina, as it is her first-ever Australian Open semifinal appearance.
The Stakes of the Matchup
This will be the seventh meeting between the two players, with Sabalenka leading their head-to-head record with five wins to Svitolina's one. The encounter is set against a charged political backdrop, given Sabalenka's documented ties to the Belarusian political establishment. She has met with President Alexander Lukashenko on multiple occasions and signed a letter expressing her support for him. Furthermore, Sabalenka has publicly endorsed Anastasia Mironchik-Ivanova on social media, a Lukashenko-aligned parliamentarian and vocal supporter of Russia's war against Ukraine.
It is known that Sabalenka has liked more than ten of Mironchik-Ivanova's Instagram posts, including content celebrating the Belarus 5 TV channel. These actions underscore the political dimension of the upcoming match, drawing attention from global political and sports analysts alike.
This semifinal is more than a contest for a place in the final; it reflects the broader geopolitical tensions in the region. Svitolina's success is seen as a symbol of resilience for many Ukrainians, while Sabalenka is viewed as representing the opposing side of the conflict. The outcome is expected to resonate far beyond the tennis court, highlighting the complex and often unavoidable intersection of international sports and politics.