© Getty Images Sport – Darrian Traynor
Aryna Sabalenka is set for another final in Melbourne as the 25-year-old Belarusian has become the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 and 2017 to reach back-to-back Australian Open finals.
Sabalenka, seeded at No. 2, defeated fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 7-6 (2) 6-4 in the Australian Open semifinal to register her sixth straight-set win at Melbourne Park this year. Now, Sabalenka is set for her second Australian Open final and her third Grand Slam final.
In 2023 January, Sabalenka reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, in which she created an impressive comeback to beat Elena Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in three sets and become a Slam champion. 12 months later, Sabalenka is having another really strong run at Melbourne Park and has come one win away from defending her title.
The last player to reach back-to-back Australian Open finals was Williams, who finished as runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2016 before winning her 23rd and last Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open.
2 – Aryna Sabalenka is the first player since Serena Williams in 2016-2017 to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open in Women’s Singles. Back.#AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/r7orVxpWYU
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