"I knew you guys wanted to send me home" - Aryna Sabalenka jokes with Indian Wells crowd following QF win over Coco Gauff

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the semifinals of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-0 win over sixth seed Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka produced a dominant display to eliminate Gauff and take her 2023 win-loss record to 16-1.

Being the only American in the women's singles quarterfinals, Gauff received a lot of the crowd's support and Sabalenka managed to find humor in the situation during her on-court interview after the match.

The Belarusian told the crowd that she knew they were trying to send her home before thanking the spectators for being there and supporting both players.

"Oh come on, I knew guys you wanted to send me home. No, yeah, I mean, it was actually a tough match, she's a great player and just super happy with the win and of course, thank you everyone for coming, supporting us, mostly her, but us," Sabalenka said.

"Yea atmosphere was unbelievable, I want to stay here as long as I can just to enjoy the atmosphere," she added.

---

Aryna Sabalenka on how her tennis has changed this year

Aryna Sabalenka in action at the BNP Paribas Open

Aryna Sabalenka has had an impressive start to the 2023 season, winning the Adelaide International 2 and her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open.

Sabalenka was asked in her post-match press conference about the difference in her tennis over the past three months compared to before. The Belarusian replied by saying that she was calmer on the court and was thus able to stay in the game regardless of the situation.

"I think I'm more calm on court, and I'm able to control my emotions, which help me to stay in the game no matter what, and just fight for every point, without losing my mind and without giving like easy points to opponents," she explained.

After beating Gauff, the 24-year-old will face either last year's runner-up Maria Sakkari or Petra Kvitova in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. The 24-year-old claimed that the fixture would be a tough one regardless of who she faced.

"I mean, I think anyway it's not going to be easy match. It's semifinal. It's not going to be easy. It's always tough battles against these girls. Again, I think it's going to be long rallies because of the court. I think if I'll be able to bring my best tennis and I will be able to stay focused from the beginning until the end, I think, yeah, I can get this win," she said.

Aryna Sabalenka will reach her third final of the season if she comes out on top against either Kvitova or Sakkari.