Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday overcame Coco Gauff’s challenge to book her place in the Australian Open Women Single’s final. Sabalenka was at her fluent best as she beat fourth seed Gauff in straight sets to book her berth. Second seed Sabalenka will face Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen in Saturday’s final. Zheng reached her first Grand Slam by ending Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska’s unexpected run.
Sabalenka got the better of Gauff in a tense semi-final that saw many unforced errors from both the players. However, Sabalenka held on to her nerves to snatch the match 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 against American fourth seed Gauff.
Both players were nervous throughout the first set, which was marked by errors and six service breaks, until Sabalenka took the deciding point home in the tie breaker.
The Belarusian looked a lot more assured in the second set. She took advantage of a break and went on to win the set and the match.
Zheng, a 21-year-old from China, qualified for the Grand Slam final for the first time in her career with a stunning 6-4 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s wildcard entry Dayana Yastremska in Thursday’s second semi-final.
After 10 years since Li Na won her maiden Australian Open singles title, Zheng is aiming to become only the second Chinese player to win the tournament.
Both players will look to give their all in Saturday’s final and there is no doubt the final will be fought with full vigour between two of the best players in Women’s Tennis right now.
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