Aryna Sabalenka snags progressed into the Australian Open final after an impressive win over Coco Gauff in straight sets in a battle between two of the best players on the women’s category.
Defending champion Sabalenka beat Gauff 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to reach the final, and she’s looking to be the first player to defend the women’s singles title in over a decade since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.
It was a sweet revenge for Sabalenka after Gauff was victorious in last year’s US Open final. Sabalenka, who was playing in her sixth consecutive major semi-final, is yet to drop a set in Melbourne this year and will be favourite to defend her title.
Sabalenka will face Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen in Saturday’s final. Zheng reached her first Grand Slam showpiece by ending Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska’s incredible run with a 6-4 6-4 win in Thursday’s second semi-final.
