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Aryna Sabalenka is in the final of the Australian Open again
Photo:
Edgar Su/REUTERS
US tennis star Coco Gauff has been eliminated from the Australian Open.
In the semifinals against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the 2023 US Open winner lost in two sets 6:7 (2:7) and 4:6.
In the new edition of the US Open final in September, the two Grand Slam champions started very differently: Sabalenka hit an ace and turned up the heat with her forehand before taking advantage of two double faults from Gauff to break.
Gauff immediately hit back and the two exchanged breaks again, but the 19-year-old had problems with her serve.
Overall, Gauff only made 57 percent of her first attempts, while Sabalenka's value was 76 percent.
Due to her weak serve, Gauff gave her opponent the chance to fight back from a 5:6 deficit, which led to a tiebreak, which Sabalenka won.
»I'm looking forward to further duels«
The two were on equal terms until the score was 4:4 in the second set.
Sabalenka countered Gauff's speed with force and made the decisive break when the teenager hit a ball too long before Sabalenka secured the victory with two strong serves.
After 1:42 hours the game was over.
»I just focused on myself.
And was ready to have an answer to every ball,” said Sabalenka.
»Coco is such a strong player.
I look forward to further duels with her in the future.«
For Gauff it is the best result at the Grand Slam tournament in Australia.
Last year the American lost in the fourth round.
Sabalenka, on the other hand, gets the chance to defend her title by reaching the final.
In 2023, the 25-year-old won in three sets against Kazakh Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka's opponent this year will be determined from around 11.50 a.m. (TV: Eurosport), when number 12 seed Zheng Qinwen meets qualifier Dajana Jastremska.
Sabalenka, number two on the seeding list, would be the clear favorite against both players.
The final is scheduled for Saturday morning (9.30 a.m., TV: Eurosport).
mrk