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.