Aryna Sabalenka

2023 - 1 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'Does it feel as good as it looks?': Aus Open star's cheeky response ... (Fox Sports)

Aryna Sabalenka is into her first grand slam singles final after a dominant semi-final win over Poland's Magda Linette on Thursday night.

Sabalenka and Linette battled out a tight first set before the World No. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo.

Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka uses her power game to ... (7NEWS.com.au)

Playing in her fourth major semi-final, the 24-year-old finally found success with victory on Thursday night over unseeded Pole Magda Linette 7-6 (7-1) 6-2.

“But I don’t know. The stay of execution only lasted until the next game, as Sabalenka served out the match, with an unplayable forehand icing the win. Up 5-1, Sabalenka had three match points on the serve of world No.45 but Linette was able to claw her way back. Sabalenka used her powerful forehand to dominate her opponent, with her average forehand speed of around 140km/h equal with some of the top men’s players on the circuit. The crowd erupted with cheers as Sabalenka laughed and kissed her biceps. Speaking during her on court interview following the impressive win, Casey Dellacqua said Sabalenka has a “super impressive” forehand.

Rybakina powers into Australian Open final (The Age)

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will seek her second grand slam title in the Australian Open final after a stirring victory over dual-champion Victoria ...

“To be honest, I want to come on the court and enjoy the experience, enjoy the atmosphere. Struck with venom, they had her elder rival on the defensive from the baseline. But she soon found her rhythm with three straight aces to close out the opening game. But Rybakina is playing at a level closer to the world’s best. [Courtney Walsh](/by/courtney-walsh-p5361n)is an experienced sports writer who won the ATP Tour's Ron Bookman Award in 2019, and an AFL media award in 2021.Connect via Should the two finalists play at their peak, it promises to be an enthralling contest given the prodigious power both women possess. “I would say that … She has had the experience of playing in a final,” Sabalenka said. With her confidence rising, Sabalenka broke Linette’s serve in the third game of the second set to establish a firm grip on the match. Sabalenka’s confidence and conviction on the court is a credit to her given the woes she experienced in Melbourne last year when effectively gripped with the yips on her serve. “[Elena] is an amazing player. Told in a post-match interview that the average speed of her forehand was comparable to the world’s best male players, she made a show of her strength by kissing her biceps.

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina book in Australian Open ... (ABC News)

Aryna Sabalenka ends Magda Linette's shock run at the Australian Open and sets up a women's singles final with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

It’s a very exclusive club. I know that Vika will do everything she can to make it happen. Would love to see her join the club of women who have become champions after having a baby. it was great tennis from me on the tie break." By Paul Johnson I will do everything I can to make it happen."

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka set stage for big-hitting ... (Messenger Newspapers)

In two similar semi-finals, Wimbledon champion Rybakina saw off Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (4) 6-3 before Sabalenka reached her first grand slam singles final with a ...

She felt the benefit of having been in a semi-final before, saying: “I think because I knew what to expect. I’m proud of myself how I fought and I tried, but tennis-wise I felt like it just wasn’t there, especially in the important moments.” “There is still one more match to go,” said the Belarusian, who is yet to drop a set in 10 matches in 2023. “It’s good that I kind of break through in the semi-finals, but there is one more match to go. I’m super happy to be in the final and ready to give everything I have left in one day.” “I’m happy, at the same time tired,” said Rybakina.

Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka swats aside Linette to reach first ... (The Guardian)

Aryna Sabalenka reached her first grand-slam final with an impressive 7-6 (1), 6-2 victory over Magda Linette.

“She’s playing great tennis, super aggressive and she already got one grand slam so she has kind of had this experience playing the final. But Sabalenka held her nerve and found her range, breaking back to 2-2 before playing game for game until the tie-break. The Pole’s defensive skills absorbed much of the barrage and her footwork allowed her to redirect what she had soaked up to the desired location, particularly from her backhand. In the bowels of Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka completed warm-up drills with a swiss ball and the look of a player loose and unperturbed about the moment of truth that awaited. It might have been that she had won all 18 sets she had played in 2023 and was not about to drop one now. The first-set tie-break said it all – Magda Linette lost it 7-1 and she had not done anything wrong.