Sabalenka Reaches Australian Open Final

MELBOURNE – Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenková became the first women’s singles finalist at the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament.

In the semifinals, the seeded and world number one managed to beat the Ukrainian Jelina Svitolina in two sets 6:2 and 6:3.

Sabalenko advanced to the finals in Melbourne for the fourth time in a row, she lifted the winning trophy above her head so far in 2023 and 2024. In this calendar year, the 27-year-old tennis player also recorded her 11th victory in a row in competitive matches and has not yet lost a single set at this year’s Australian Open. They will improve the balance from their matches to six wins and only one loss.

“Honestly, I can’t believe it, it’s unbelievable. But my work is not over yet. I’m extremely happy about the victory. Jelina is a very demanding opponent, she played incredible tennis throughout the tournament.

I watched her play against other players. I felt that I had to push her and I’m glad that it worked out that way. I played great tennis and won in two sets,” said Sabalenková in a post-match interview on the court.

Belarus is one win away from a fifth career Grand Slam triumph.

It was clear from the opening game that both players will rely on strength and pressure in their game. In the opening games of the first set, Svitolina was held by a better first serve and net play, while Sabalenkova, on the other hand, waited for her chance.

Belarus gained an advantage for her side in the fourth game when she broke her opponent’s serve for the first time in the match. She began to have more and more control over the situation on the court, used the third set point offered with a winning shot and won the opening set 6:2.

The Ukrainian had a better start to the second set, she immediately managed to break Sabalenkova and then confirmed it on her own serve. However, the seeded team subsequently confirmed why they have not lost a single set at this year’s Australian Open. By winning five games in a row, she turned the development of the meeting in her favor.

At 2:5, Svitolina averted the possibility of an early end to the semi-final match, but finally, in the next game, Sabalenkova saved her serve and ended the 10-game winning streak of the 12th seeded women’s spider.

• Author: © List/
• VIDEO: YouTube/Australian Open
• Source: TASR