​Aryna Sabalenko took a new step towards defending the title won last year at the Australian Open. Belarus reached the final of the 2024 draw on Thursday after defeating Coco Gauff in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenko in the final of the Australian Open 2024 – Past Coco Gauf

Sabalenka, the second favorite at the start of the competition in Melbourne, won after a hard-fought 7-6(2), 6-4. The game lasted one hour and 44 minutes.

Arina started the match much better and led 5-2, but Koko made an impressive comeback, winning four games in a row (she also saved a set point). Sabalenka recovered the break at the last moment (level 6) and confidently won the tie-break with a score of 7-2.

Both players served much better in the second set, but Gauff (2023 US Open champion) finally conceded in the ninth game when Sabalenka saved her fifth break point of the set. Arina then closed out the match with her serve, 6-4.

Sabalenka was the player who dictated the pace at Rod Laver Arena: she made 33 game-winning shots (22 were checked by her opponent), but also committed more unforced errors (28-20). On the other hand, Gauff served 5 aces but committed 8 double faults.

It is updated.