Aryna Sabalenka is a win away from becoming the first woman in a decade to defend their Australian Open title after ousting Coco Gauff in a roller-coaster semi-final match.
The world No.2 battled her way to a 7-6(2), 6-4, win over the 19-year-old American in what is a case of sweet revenge. Sabalenka was beaten by Gauff in the final of last year’s US Open after leading that match by a set. In their latest encounter, she hit a total of 32 winners and broke her opponent’s lacklustre serve four times.
“I think I was able to focus on myself and I was prepared that she was going to move really good, put all the balls back to me,” Sabalenka said afterwards about her tactics used against Gauff.
“I had to be ready to play an extra shot and I was ready for anything tonight. That was the key.
“The last time I played her (at the US Open) I didn’t have almost any support and today thank you (to the crowd and their support).”
Sabalenka utilised her powerful hitting to dominate proceedings early on in the first set where nerves were visible for both players. Gauff, who is the youngest player to reach an Australian Open semi-final since 2007, struggled to generate any rhythm in her game early on. The American hit five doubles faults during her first 16 service points which paved the way for Sabalenka to take control of proceedings on the Rod Laver Arena. After just 26 minutes of play, the second seed found herself in a position to serve for the opening set at 5-3 before there was a twist in the encounter.
Back-to-back unforced errors from the Belrussian enabled Gauff to break back before going on to lead 6-5. However, once more Sabalenka came roaring back to force a tiebreak where she dictated play by winning seven out of the nine points played to finally clinch the opener.
The cat-and-mouse chase continued into the second frame which began with eight holds of serves before Sabalenka got her next breakthrough. Hitting a powerful double-handed backhand, she forced her rival to return the ball out which enabled her to break for a chance to serve the match out. Sabalenka failed to convert her first match point due to a sublime forehand winner from Gauff but she prevailed on her second opportunity with the help of a serve out wide.
“It’s always a great fight. She’s an incredible player. I really enjoyed playing against her, win or lose it is always a great match,” Sabalenka said in tribute to her rival.
“I really hope in the future that we will play (against each other) in many more finals.”
Sabalenka’s triumph has ended Gauff’s 10-match winning streak and denied the American her 50th Grand Slam win. She is the first woman to have reached back-to-back Australia Open finals since Serena Williams.
Awaiting her in the final will be either 12th seed Qinwen Zheng or qualifier Dayana Yastremska.
