Aryna Sabalenka comes within striking distance of consecutive Australian Open championships after straight-sets despatch of US Open foe Coco Gauff
- Sabalenka previously lost to Gauff in the final of the US Open in New York
Aryna Sabalenka is one match away from back-to-back wins at the Australian Open after beating Coco Gauff 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 on Thursday night.
The Belarusian world number 2 needed just two sets to beat the 19-year-old US Open winner despite an early wobble that saw her squander a 5-2 lead in the opening set.
Sabalenka took the set to a tiebreak and consolidated her position in the second set at 4-4 with a crucial break of Gauff’s serve to advance to the semi-finals.
Sabalenka and Gauff met in the final at Flushing Meadows last year, with the 25-year-old taking the teenager over the distance but ultimately losing 6-2 3-6 2-6.
Before the match, Sabalenka had emphasized that she was hungry for ‘revenge’ after the defeat to Arthur Ashe, but praised her opponent for always putting up a ‘great fight’.
With a place in the final confirmed, Sabalenka will be watching the second semi-final with interest.
Dayana Yastremka battled through the qualifiers before securing her place in the main draw last week but has surged ahead of her competitors, most recently toppling Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4 with relative ease.
However, the Ukrainian will have a formidable opponent in Zheng Qinwen – the No. 12 seed pulled off a comeback win against Anna Kalinskaya 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-1 and will be in the top flight for the first time 10 end up. after a strong run in Melbourne.
More to follow.
