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Australian Open 2024: Ardent Aryna Sabalenka Seeks ‘Revenge’ Against Coco Gauff in Semi-Final Clash
Aryna Sabalenka expresses her determination for “payback” as she prepares to meet Coco Gauff in the Australian Open semi-finals. This matchup mirrors their encounter in the US Open final last year, where Gauff claimed victory with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, securing her first Grand Slam title. Sabalenka, who has been in exceptional form, reaching the last four with straight-sets wins in all five of her previous matches, including the quarter-finals against Barbora Krejcíkova.
Aryna Sabalenka acknowledges that her loss at Flushing Meadows in September has fueled her motivation for redemption. Reflecting on the upcoming match against Coco Gauff, Sabalenka expressed eagerness for the challenge, describing their encounters as intense battles. Despite Gauff’s exceptional court coverage and skills, Sabalenka is excited about the prospect of facing her in the semi-final, appreciating the competitive nature of their matches and recognizing Gauff as a formidable player.
Aryna Sabalenka has demonstrated remarkable consistency in major tournaments over the past 18 months, reaching the semi-finals in each of the last six Grand Slam events. This impressive run includes her title win in Melbourne a year ago, where she defeated former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final. If she emerges victorious against Gauff, the 25-year-old is poised to be the favorite for defending her title, as her potential opponents, Qinwen Zheng or qualifier Dayana Yastremska, have not previously advanced this far in a major.
In contrast to earlier struggles with closing out matches as the favored player, Sabalenka now thrives under the pressure of expectations. She attributes this newfound success to a shift in mindset, emphasizing a more composed approach on the court. Instead of fixating on her dreams, Sabalenka now focuses on playing point by point and fighting for each without overthinking. She highlights a crucial decision to take responsibility for her actions as a pivotal moment in her improved self-control.
