Sabalenka settles Keys score

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka sent an Australian Open warning as she beat Madison Keys yesterday in Brisbane in a repeat of last year’s Melbourne final.

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Aryna Sabalenka serves during her match against Madison Keys at the Brisbane International.

(AFP)

Keys stunned Sabalenka nearly 12 months ago, but the Belarusian took revenge on the American with a statement 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the semifinals.

Keys was playing less than 24 hours after her marathon three-hour win over Russia's Diana Shnaider and had heavy strapping on her thigh.

She turned in an uncharacteristically error-strewn performance and struggled on serve as Sabalenka struck a series of superb returns.

Sabalenka, aiming for her third Melbourne title in four years when the Australian Open begins on Jan 18, said the Brisbane tournament was helping her find form ahead of the first major of the year.