Zheng Qinwen beat Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska in straight sets on Thursday to become the first Chinese finalist in a decade at the Australian Open, setting up a decider against Aryna Sabalenka.
The 12th seed, heading into the world’s top 10 in next week’s updated rankings, delivered a controlled performance on Rod Laver Arena to win 6-4, 6-4 in one hour 42 minutes.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka avenged a US Open final loss to Coco Gauff and became the first woman since Serena Williams to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open on Thursday.
Sabalenka attacked Gauff’s serve with her powerful returns and unloaded 33 winners in the 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory that extended her winning streak to 13 matches at Melbourne Park.
“I was just ready for anything tonight,” Sabalenka said. “I was able to focus on myself.”
She will meet Zheng Qinwen in Saturday’s championship decider after the No. 12 seed defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4. Zheng and No. 93-ranked Yastremska were both playing in their first Grand Slam semifinal.
Sabalenka is on a 13-match roll at Melbourne Park, where she made her Grand Slam breakthrough last year. Williams reached consecutive finals here in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Sabalenka will set her sights on becoming the first woman to win consecutive Australian Open titles since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.
Gauff went into the semifinals unbeaten in 2024 after winning a title in Auckland, New Zealand. The 19-year-old American was on a 12-match winning streak in majors and attempting to be the first player since Naomi Osaka in 2020-21 to win the US Open and Australian Open titles back to back.
She had worked out how to beat Sabalenka in New York in September to win her first major title but didn’t have the answers this time against the only player in the final four with semifinal experience in Australia.
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