World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina advanced to the Australian Open final on Thursday, setting up a blockbuster rematch of their 2023 title clash at Melbourne Park. Sabalenka dominated Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in a politically charged semifinal, while Rybakina outlasted American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(7) in a tense second semifinal that went down to the wire.
Sabalenka's victory marked her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, making her only the third woman in the Open Era to achieve this remarkable feat, joining legends Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis. The Belarusian powerhouse finished with 29 winners against just 19 for Svitolina, showcasing the dominant form that has made her nearly unbeatable on Melbourne's hard courts. She remains undefeated in sets throughout the tournament, mirroring her perfect runs to the title in 2023 and 2024.
The match between Sabalenka and Svitolina carried significant political undertones due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The players declined the traditional post-match handshake, a reflection of the tensions that have affected their encounters since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the charged atmosphere, Sabalenka maintained her focus and delivered a clinical performance that lasted just 68 minutes.
In the second semifinal, Rybakina needed one hour and 40 minutes to overcome a resilient Pegula. The Kazakh appeared poised for a comfortable victory after taking the first set 6-3 and breaking twice in the second, but twice failed to serve out the match. Pegula saved match points and held two set points of her own in a dramatic tiebreak before Rybakina finally sealed the victory 9-7 in the decider.
Saturday's final will be a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open championship, where Sabalenka came from a set down to defeat Rybakina and claim her first Grand Slam title. Their career head-to-head stands at 8-6 in Sabalenka's favor, though they split four meetings last year, with Rybakina winning their most recent encounter at the WTA Finals in December. The final promises to be a clash of two of the most powerful players in women's tennis.
For Pegula, the semifinal loss continues a frustrating pattern at major tournaments. Since 2021, the American has reached six quarterfinals, two semifinals, and one final at Grand Slams but has yet to capture a major title. Svitolina, meanwhile, was competing in her first Australian Open semifinal since 2019, having stunned second seed Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory.
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