The defending champion is only one win away from the next triumph. Aryna Sabalenka is in the final of the Australian Open again.
On the way to defending her title at the Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka didn’t let US Open champion Coco Gauff stop her. The world number two from Belarus won the eagerly awaited semi-final against the American in Melbourne 7:6 (7:2), 6:4 and is therefore still without losing a set at the Yarra River.
In the final on Saturday (9.30 a.m. CET/Eurosport), Sabalenka will face the Chinese Zheng Qinwen. The world rankings 15. prevailed against the Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Jastremska 6:4, 6:4. Ten years after Li Na won the title, a Chinese woman is once again in the final in Melbourne.
“It was an incredible match. I’m so proud to be in the final again,” said Sabalenka. “I just focused on myself. And was ready to have an answer to every ball,” added the Belarusian. “Coco is such a strong player. I look forward to more duels with her in the future.”
With the hard-fought victory, Sabalenka also achieved revenge for the defeat in the US Open final last year. Back then, Gauff won in three sets. “I think I wasn’t so passive today and tried to put less pressure on myself,” said Sabalenka, who converted her second match point after 1:42 hours.
Nervous game in Australia
Sabalenka started strong at the Rod Laver Arena and quickly moved away to 5-2. But then Gauff improved, and at the same time the number two in the tennis world made more slight mistakes. Gauff turned the game around and suddenly served for the set at 6:5. Sabalenka countered again and took the first set in a tiebreak after just under an hour.
In the second set, the two dominant players of the tournament continued to meet on equal terms. Sabalenka made the decisive break to make it 5:4. Gauff fended off the first match point well, but then the Belarusian made it to the final.
It was the American’s first defeat this year. Shortly before the Australian Open she won the tournament in Auckland. “Unfortunately I made one or two mistakes too many,” said Gauff after her exit. “It was still a good tournament for me. Aryna was simply better today,” said the 19-year-old American.