Sabalenka Storms Back To Australian Open Final
The reigning champion fought back from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff on Rod Laver Arena
Aryna Sabalenka is into the final of the Australian Open after beating Coco Gauff in three sets on Thursday night.
The Belarusian, who is chasing a second consecutive Grand Slam win, won 7-6, 7-2, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena and will face Magda Linette in the final on Saturday.
Sabalenka struggled with her serve for much of the match, hitting nine double faults in total. But she made up for it with her power and consistency from the baseline, hitting 47 winners to Gauff's 35.
Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in the US Open quarterfinals last year, was broken four times in the match and was never able to settle into a rhythm.
The American had a chance to break Sabalenka's serve in the first set at 5-3, but she missed a forehand that would have given her a set point. Sabalenka then held her serve and broke Gauff in the next game to take the first set.
Sabalenka was in control in the second set, breaking Gauff twice to take a 5-0 lead. Gauff broke back once, but Sabalenka served out the set to take a 2-0 lead.
Gauff came out fighting in the third set, breaking Sabalenka's serve in the first game. But Sabalenka broke back twice in a row to take a 4-2 lead and held on to serve out the match.
Sabalenka is now 3-0 against Gauff in her career and will be looking to make it 4-0 in the final on Saturday.
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