Aryna Sabalenka greets after defeating her in semifinal match of the Australian Open on January 25, 2024
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Aryna Sabalenka took a giant step in direction of retaining her Australian Open crown by beating American fourth seed Coco Gauff 7-6(2) 6-4 in a thriller on Thursday to reach the final the place she’s going to meet Zheng Qinwen or qualifier Dayana Yastremska.
In a rematch of their U.S. Open final in September, the 2 reigning hardcourt Grand Slam champions made contrasting begins as Belarusian Sabalenka fired an ace and revved up her forehand to maintain earlier than pouncing on two double faults by Gauff to break.
But what adopted was an intense contest between two gamers hoping to forge forward and win their second Grand Slam title, and it was Sabalenka who held agency to turn out to be the primary participant since Serena Williams in 2016 and 2017 to make back-to-back Melbourne finals.
“I think I was able to focus on myself,” Sabalenka stated. “I was thinking she’s going to move really well, put all balls back to me and I had to be ready to play an extra shot.
“I used to be simply prepared for something tonight and I feel that was the important thing. And the help, final time I performed right here I did not have virtually any help.”
Gauff hit back right away and the pair swapped breaks again but the 19-year-old New York champion continued to teeter on her serve, allowing Sabalenka to settle her nerves after going 6-5 down in a frantic spell to clinch the first set in a tiebreak.
The pair were locked together until 4-4 in the second set as Sabalenka countered Gauff’s speed with power and the 25-year-old second seed edged ahead with a decisive break when the teenager hit a shot long before sealing victory with two massive serves.
“I actually take pleasure in taking part in (Coco) she’s an unbelievable participant, win or lose it is nice matches,” said Sabalenka, who fell in three sets to Gauff in the Flushing Meadows final.
“I actually hope sooner or later we’re going to play many extra finals. Of course, I hope I win all of them,” she added with fun.
Sabalenka will set her sights on turning into the primary lady to win consecutive Australian Open titles since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.
