Aryna Sabalenka roars past Coco Gauff to advance to second consecutive Australian Open final

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the final of the Australian Open, where she will face either Zheng Qinwen or qualifier Dayana Yastremska, after defeating American fourth seed Coco Gauff 7-6(2) 6-4 on Thursday.

In a rematch of their U.S. Open final in September, the two reigning hardcourt Grand Slam champions got off to contrasting starts, with Belarusian Sabalenka firing an ace and revving up her forehand to hold before breaking on Gauff's two double faults.

But what followed was an intense battle between two players hoping to win their second Grand Slam title, and Sabalenka held firm to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 and 2017 to reach back-to-back Melbourne finals.

"I think I was able to focus on myself," Sabalenka said. "I was thinking she's going to move really well, put all balls back to me and I had to be ready to play an extra shot."

"I was just ready for anything tonight and I think that was the key. And the support, last time I played here I didn't have almost any support."

Gauff responded quickly, and the pair traded breaks again, but the 19-year-old New York champion continued to teeter on her serve, allowing Sabalenka to calm her nerves after falling behind 6-5 in a frantic spell to win the first set in a tiebreaker.

The pair remained tied until 4-4 in the second set, when Sabalenka countered Gauff's speed with power, and the 25-year-old second seed edged ahead with a crucial break when the teenager hit a shot long before sealing victory with two massive serves.

"I really enjoy playing (Coco) she's an incredible player; win or lose, it's great matches," said Sabalenka, who lost in three sets to Gauff in the Flushing Meadows final.

"I really hope in the future we're going to play many more finals. Of course, I hope I win them all," she added with a laugh.

Sabalenka will aim to become the first woman to win consecutive Australian Open titles since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.

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