Aryna Sabalenka claimed a routine 6-3 6-4 victory over unseeded Marie Bouzkova at the Brisbane International on Friday.

World number one Sabalenka maintained her impressive form to start the 2025 season by prevailing over her Czech opponent in just one hour and 44 minutes.

Sabalenka lost to Bouzkova in the semi-finals at the Washington Open last year, and the Belarusian lost the first game on her serve this time out.

Yet Sabalenka swiftly recovered with a break of her own, paving the way for her to dominate the rest of the match, though Bouzkova did claw back four match points before she was eventually beaten.

"It's always tough battles against Bouzkova and I had lost the last one [in Washington]," said Sabalenka.

"I came into the match really focused and I'm happy I was able to put her under pressure and finish the match in straight sets."

Next up for Sabalenka is a clash with 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who downed Ons Jabeur.

Sabalenka was on the end of a shock result when Andreeva won 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 in the last eight at the French Open last season.

"[Andreeva] is a great player," added Sabalenka. "We recently played an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi where I got to know her better. She is also a great person and I am really looking forward to playing against her."

Polina Kudermetova and Anhelina Kalinina will face off in the other semi-final.

Data Debrief: Another shock on the cards?

All three of the previous meetings between Andreeva and Sabalenka have come on clay, with the latter winning the first two before that shock loss at Roland-Garros.

Andreeva has now reached her fourth WTA Tour-level semi-final. Only five players in the past 20 years have made more before turning 18 – Nicole Vaidisova, Maria Sharapova, Tatiana Golovin, Michaella Krajicek and Coco Gauff.