Aryna Sabalenka advances to the Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, continues her path to glory at the Australian Open. Despite a small setback, the Belarusian tennis player demonstrated her power by defeating Elina Svitolina in two sets, with scores of 6-2 and 6-3, securing her place in the final for the fourth consecutive year. Sabalenka will seek her third title in Melbourne in the last four years. In the final, she will face Elena Rybakina, who defeated Jessica Pegula in her respective semifinal. Sabalenka’s consistency is evident. Before the semi-final, both she and Svitolina had won all their matches without conceding a single set, a feat not seen at the Australian Open for 56 years. Both players arrived with winning streaks from previous tournaments. Sabalenka kept both streaks alive. With 19 winners and two service breaks in the first set, she demonstrated her superiority. She finished the match with 29 winners, surpassing the 12 of her Ukrainian opponent. As is customary in matches between Ukrainian and Belarusian players, there was no handshake at the end of the match nor a group photo before the start.Sabalenka joins Evonne Goolagong and Martina Hingis as the only women in the Open era to reach four consecutive finals at the Australian Open.It’s her decision, and I respect it. I think she knows that I respect her as a player. I know that she respects me as a player. That’s the only thing that matters to me.
Aryna Sabalenka
It’s an incredible achievement, but the work isn’t done yet. I’ve been watching her game. Svitolina was playing incredibly. I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could on her. I’m glad the level was there. I think I played great tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka confessed that the situation motivated her, making her more aggressive on the court.That had never happened to me, especially with my grunts. Then he called it and I was like ‘What? What’s wrong with you?’
Aryna Sabalenka
The only service break for Svitolina occurred at the beginning of the second set, but Sabalenka reacted immediately, winning the next five games. After reaching her first semifinal in Australia and winning a previous tournament in New Zealand, Svitolina will return to the top 10 for the first time since her maternity break in 2022. The title in Auckland was her first appearance on the circuit after a break for mental health. Svitolina stated that the break prolonged her career.Actually, it helped me. I was more aggressive. I wasn’t happy with the call, and it really helped me to win that game. So if she [Azemar Engzell] wants to do it again, I want to make sure she’s not scared, go ahead, call it. It’s going to help me.
Aryna Sabalenka
Svitolina played her fourth Grand Slam semi-final, but couldn’t advance to the final.Definitely, very, very happy with the two weeks here and in New Zealand, also, winning. Devastated for not making it tonight, but it’s very difficult when you’re playing against the world number 1, who is really on fire.
Elina Svitolina
It was really complicated for me today. But, yes, I just want to take the positive from the last few weeks, the beginning of the year, and just carry it throughout the season.
Elina Svitolina
