By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Coco Gauff [4]
- Qinwen Zheng [12] v Dayana Yastremska [Q]
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has revenge on her mind when she takes on Coco Gauff in a rematch of the US Open final in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Coco Gauff [4] | H2H: Gauff leads 4-2
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has been ruthless and dominant in her first Grand Slam title defence as the world number two is yet to drop a set in this tournament so far. Now Sabalenka will look to overcome her semi-final hoodoo as she aims to win her second Grand Slam title of her career. Revenge is on the mind of Sabalenka in the semi-final as she takes on the player that beat her in the US Open final in the form of Coco Gauff after the American has continued her dominant start to the season by extending her Grand Slam winning streak to 12 matches.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Coco Gauff [4] | H2H: Gauff leads 4-2 |
| Australian Open 2024 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $990,000 |
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Sabalenka is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open and another ruthless display against Barbora Krejcikova showed why the world number two is the firm favourite for the title.
Now Sabalenka will look to overcome her previous semi-final nerves as she looks to successfully defend the title in Melbourne in her first Grand Slam title defence.
Standing in Sabalenka’s way is Gauff who has been in immense form to start the year and showed grit as well as mental strength in her win over Marta Kostyuk.
It’s now 12 Grand Slam wins in a row for the American who will now aim to win her second consecutive Grand Slam title having struggled for the last couple of years at the big events.
Speaking ahead of her semi-final, Sabalenka spoke about gaining revenge on the American after a narrow defeat in the US Open final.
“After US Open, I really wanted that revenge, and, I mean, that’s a great match,” Sabalenka told the Australian Open website.
“It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights. I’m happy to play her, and I’m super excited to play that semifinal match. I love it. I love it.”
Meanwhile Gauff spoke about her winning streak at Grand Slams and how badly she wants to maintain her level at the big events.
“The goal is to stay here as long as possible and keep going upwards,” Gauff told the Australian Open website.
“I mean, I’m not at the top but I’m up there. I think definitely being in (Grand Slam) semis a couple of times before … you don’t feel like it’s your last time ever reaching this. You want to play like it’s your last time, I guess, because you don’t want to take advantage of the moment, but also just feel like you can do it again.
“It does give me confidence knowing that at least in that stage of a Grand Slam that my nerves are usually settled. Hopefully I can go out there and be settled.”
Sabalenka will look to continue dictating the play on her serve as she aims to continue her efficiency on the forehand.
Meanwhile Gauff’s consistency on serve will prove critical in this match as the American aims to extend the rallies and extract errors from Sabalenka’s game.
On form, Sabalenka is the firm favourite to win this match and the title but if there is ever a time to play the world two it’s in a semi-final and Gauff has had Sabalenka’s number in recent matches.
This should be an entertaining match that is expected to go down to the wire and as long as Sabalenka can remain reliable under pressure then she should be the one to reach the final.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
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Qinwen Zheng [12] v Dayana Yastremska [Q] | H2H: First Meeting
Qinwen Zheng has taken advantage of the opportunity presented to her as she is into a first Grand Slam semi-final having capitalised on Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina’s absence. Now the 12th seed will look to continue her consistent form as she looks to reach a maiden final at Grand Slam level. Standing in Zheng’s way is former top 30 player Dayana Yastremska who has come from qualifying to reach the last four having knocked out Marketa Vondrousova and Victoria Azarenka.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Qinwen Zheng [12] v Dayana Yastremska [Q] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open 2024 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $990,000 |
| Sixth on Rod Laver Arena (10:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Zheng has taken advantage of the opportunity presented to her as some big names have exited the tournament in the top half of the draw.
Now the 12th seed will look to continue her consistency as she could end up reaching her first Grand Slam final without facing a top 50 player.
The next obstacle for Zheng is former top 30 player Yastremska who has come from qualifying to knock out two former Grand Slam champions.
Now a first Grand Slam semi-final beckons for Yastremska who has nothing to lose and everything to gain as a return to the world’s top 50 is guaranteed.
After the match Zheng spoke about the pride she feels ahead of a first Grand Slam semi-final.
“The feeling is … happiness,” Zheng explained to the Australian Open website about her initial emotion over her Grand Slam milestone.
“Of course I’m proud of myself. But this is just the beginning. I still need to play tomorrow. So I need to change fast the mentality and try to stay (with) my game plan for tomorrow.”
Meanwhile Yastremska spoke about the prospect of making history as she is the second qualifier since 1978 to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
“It’s nice to make a history,” Yastremska told the Australian Open website.
“It’s something new for me and for my generation because the last time it happened it was a long time ago. I wasn’t born yet. It’s nice. I’m really happy to be in my first semifinals. I was a little bit nervous, but at the same time tired.
“I think I was a little bit too emotional. Today before my match I got angry at the practice at my coach, but that’s fine because I could put my emotions away. Yeah, another step is done.”
Zheng will look to remain consistent from the baseline as she will look to use depth to force errors from Yastremska.
Meanwhile the Ukrainian will aim to be as aggressive as possible as she will look to avoid getting involved in the longer rallies.
There will be nerves in this match as a place in a first Grand Slam final is at stake but Yastremska’s aggressive form makes her the slight favourite here.
Prediction: Yastremska in three sets.
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