Aryna Sabalenka powers into Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka eased past Magda Linette to book herself a spot in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina.
Image credit: Getty Images Aryna SabalenkaAfter Rybakina saw off Victoria Azarenka, Sabalenka reached her first grand slam singles final with a 7-6(1) 6-2 victory over unseeded Pole Magda Linette.
The Belarusian hit 33 winners and maintained her record of not losing a set through 10 matches so far this season.
"I'm super happy that I was able to get this win," said Sabalenka. "She's an unbelievable player, she played great tennis. I didn't start really well and in the tie-break I found my rhythm, started trusting myself and going for my shots."
While Linette is a fine player and did everything she could to deny Sabalenka a rhythm, this felt a bit like a contest between the fifth seed and herself.
One of the most outwardly emotional players on tour, she has credited a new commitment to a calmer mindset for her consistency so far this season.
But, with memories of three grand slam semi-final defeats fresh in her mind, Sabalenka admitted this was a big test of whether she could keep her head.
The first game did not appear to bode well as the 24-year-old made three unforced errors to drop serve but she quickly recovered the deficit and from there began to play really well.
It was to Linette's credit that, playing in the biggest match of her life, she did not allow herself to be completely overpowered and held her serve to force a first-set tie-break.
But there Sabalenka was untouchable, opening up a 6-0 lead, and in the second set she was simply too strong for Linette, who has enjoyed a breakthrough grand slam at the age of 30.
The Pole saved three match points at 5-1 but Sabalenka clinched her fourth opportunity, celebrating with an understated clenched fist that implied she knows the job is not yet done.
Stunning, Sabalenka 🙌
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023
The No.5 seed will play Elena Rybakina for the women's singles title!@SabalenkaA • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/gjjCFJZ0SD
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