Belarus’ tennis star
Aryna Sabalenka achieved yet another
milestone after her recent triumph in the
Australian Open.
The 25-year-old booked her place in the final of the first
Grand Slam of the year after defeating America’s Coco Gauff in the repeat of
the 2023 US Open final in straight sets with a score 7-6, 6-2.
While doing so, Sabalenka became the first women’s singles player
since the former world number one America’s
Serena Williams to book her place in
consecutive finals of the Australian Open.
Williams achieved that feat between the years 2015 and 2017
when she played in three finals of the Australian Open and ended up winning
two of them.
Sabalenka won the title which remains her only Grand Slam in
Melbourne last year after defeating the current world number three Elena
Rybakina with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4. Recent result is another testament of the
dominance of the Minsk-born in the mega-events as she has now played in six
consecutive semifinals of the Grand Slams.
Sabalenka will be
facing China’s young tennis star Qinwen Zheng in the final of the mega-event on
Saturday. The 21-year-old booked a place in the final of the Grand Slam for the
first time after defeating Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in straight sets with a score
of 6-4, 6-4.