Tennis-Superb Sabalenka beats Gauff to reach Australian Open final

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 25, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her semi final match against Coco Gauff of the U.S. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka took a big step towards retaining her Australian Open crown by beating American fourth seed Coco Gauff 7-6(2) 6-4 in a thriller on Thursday to reach the final where she will meet Zheng Qinwen or qualifier Dayana Yastremska.

In a rematch of their U.S. Open final in September, the two reigning hardcourt Grand Slam champions made contrasting starts as Belarusian Sabalenka fired an ace and revved up her forehand to hold before pouncing on two double faults by Gauff to break.