Defending champion Sabalenka back in Australian Open final, beats Gauff

The defending champion is back into the final after a wonderful match against Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka (James Gourley/Shutterstock/SIPA)

Carrie Dunn

January 25, 2024

Australian Open •Semi-final • completed

See draw

C. GauffvsA. Sabalenka

Some may have thought that the women’s singles at this year’s Australian Open was something of a disappointment thus far, but the first semi-final was a stunner.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued cutting a swathe through the draw, beating Coco Gauff 7-6 (2), 6-4 to seal her place in the final after a wonderful spectacle.

“It’s always a great fight, she’s an incredible player,” a delighted Sabalenka said on court afterwards, paying tribute to her opponent. “I really enjoy playing her.”

It was an interesting observation bearing in mind that Gauff still holds the lead in the head-to-head. This was the seventh time they had played – with Gauff winning four of their previous encounters. Most notably, she had triumphed on their biggest meeting yet – the 2023 US Open final. Sabalenka had already noted that winning this match would provide a modicum of revenge.

And she had the first opportunity to serve out the first set, but dropped the set points at 5-3, allowing Gauff to apply the pressure and get it back on serve.

The American then made inroads into the ever-solid Sabalenka serve to take a 6-5 lead, but the Belarusian broke back once more to force the tiebreak, which she played impressively to seal 7-2.

The second set was equally tight, going with serve and then Sabalenka serving a rocket to take her to a second match point – and following it with an equally powerful zinger that Gauff could only return into the net.

The two embraced at the net, acknowledgement of a match well played and well fought.

Sabalenka still has not dropped a set in this tournament; the first set against Gauff was the first time she has been pushed to a tiebreak in Melbourne this year.