Australian Open 2024: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka edges past Coco Gauff to reach second consecutive final in Melbourne
Aryna Sabalenka ends Coco Gauff's run at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year and is through to the final in Melbourne without dropping a set.
Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka is back in the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne - without losing a set.
The second seed and reigning champion edged past 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in the semi-finals on Thursday (25 January).
She will face Zheng Qinwen (People's Republic of China), who is into her first major final after ousting qualifier Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 6-4,6-4.
Gauff held a 4-2 advantage over Sabalenka in their career meetings going into the match.
The tantalising US Open final rematch lived up to its billing with the crowd at Rod Laver Arena going wild during some rallies.
Gauff didn't get off to a great start, losing her serve at 4-2 to trail 5-2 and face an uphill batle.
But the American broke her opponent at 5-4 to force a tie-break which Sabalenka dominated 7-2 to win the first set after 56 minutes.
It was a tight affair in the second set.
Both players held serve until Sabalenka converted her second break point to go up 5-4 and close it out after 102 minutes.