Aryna Sabalenka Soars Again in Australian Open Semifinals

Sabalenka Remains on Track to Defend Title

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus beat fourth-seeded Coco Gauff of the United States 7-6 7-5 on Thursday night to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Sabalenka fired 20 aces and saved 10 of 13 opportunities to break Gauff's serve, including five of six in the second set.

The Matchup

Gauff, the 18-year-old American, had won three of her four previous matches against Sabalenka, including a straight-sets victory in the semifinals of the Adelaide International last week. But Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, proved too strong on this night.

Sabalenka will now face twelfth seed Qinwen Zheng of China in the semifinals. Zheng upset Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 7-5 6-3 in the quarterfinals earlier on Thursday.