26 January,2024 07:25 AM IST | Melbourne | AFP
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates a point against Coco Gauff in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Formidable World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka blasted past Coco Gauff into the Australian Open final on Thursday to keep her title defence on track. The Belarusian tamed the fourth seed 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to avenge her defeat by the American teenager in last year's US Open final.
She will play Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4, in Saturday's final.
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By beating Gauff, the 25-year-old became the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 and 2017 to reach back-to-back Australian Open finals.
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No-one since Victoria Azarenka in 2013 has mounted a successful women's title defence at Melbourne Park. Sabalenka said ahead of the match that she was motivated by revenge after the 19-year-old beat her in three sets at Flushing Meadows.
But it proved to be her toughest assignment at the tournament so far, having dropped just 16 games leading into the clash.
"I was able to focus on myself. I was prepared that she was going to move well and put all the balls back and I was just ready for anything," she said.
"That was the key, and the support here. It's always a great fight [against Gauff]. She's a great player and I enjoy playing her," she added. "I really hope that in the future we are going to play many more finals."
With the roof closed due to rain, Sabalenka raced through her opening serve to love then promptly broke Gauff.
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