Engzell remarked, "In the video, you go, 'ah ah-ya!'" Sabalenka contested this by asking, "How many players do it differently?" However, the umpire remained firm, stating, "It's interference; to me, it's interference because you didn’t make the common sound."

The frustration arose from Sabalenka seemingly producing an unusual noise after thinking she had hit her shot out of bounds. Yet, the return landed in play, much to the two-time Melbourne champion's astonishment, as the sound was made before Svitolina had to respond to the shot.

Rule 26 of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Rules of Tennis addresses interference, stipulating: "If a player is obstructed in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), that player shall win the point."

The regulations further explain: "However, the point shall be replayed if a player is obstructed in playing the point due to either an unintentional act of the opponent(s) or an external factor beyond the player's control (excluding permanent fixtures)."

Thus, umpire Engzell concluded that the alteration of sound was a purposeful action by Sabalenka, which is why the point was not replayed. This is the reason behind the world No. 1's strong reaction to the ruling, as it cost her the first point of her second chance to break Svitolina.

Despite this hindrance call leading her to go down 15-0 in the fourth game, Sabalenka still triumphed in the first set 6-2. Leading 2-1 at the time, she took game four after being penalised, breaking Svitolina for the first time. After maintaining her serve thereafter, the top seed broke her opponent again in the eighth game to secure the set.

Svitolina came back in the second set, breaking Sabalenka in the first game and then holding serve to lead 2-0. Nevertheless, the top seed won the next five games, breaking her rival in both the fourth and sixth games.

Although the Ukrainian responded in the eighth game by holding serve to prolong the match briefly, Sabalenka concluded it on her serving game, winning 6-2, 6-3, and advancing to her fourth straight Australian Open final. The four-time major champion is set to face either Elena Rybakina or Jessica Pegula on Saturday.