Sabalenka reaches maiden Grand Slam final after beating Linette at Australian Open

| by Zachary Wimer

Aryna Sabalenka has numerous accomplishments on the WTA Tour, but she still missed a bit on the biggest stage.

The 24-year-old Belarusian previously played in three Grand Slam semifinals, but she lost all of them. She also played the WTA Finals final in 2022, and she was only one spot away from becoming the world no. 1 last year. This time, she wants to take it a step further and succeed at the 2023 Australian Open.

Sabalenka started her season with a triumph in Adelaide and kept her form also in Melbourne. She's currently leading the WTA Race and also, she's very close to winning her first Grand Slam title.

"Still tough but it's not my fault" - Sabalenka on Ukraine war impact on her career
"Still tough but it's not my fault" - Sabalenka on Ukraine war impact on her career

In the semifinals, she took on the only unseeded player among the last four, Magda Linette. The Pole had a sensational tournament, and she was making Polish fans happy, after world no. 1, Iga Swiatek, was eliminated by Elena Rybakina.

The match started better for Linette who started with a break, but soon lost her advantage and the score was tied. Both players then showed a serving masterclass and so the first set had to be decided in a tie-break.

More-experienced Sabalenka was a better player in the tie-break, and dominantly won it 7-1. The world no. 5 followed up in the second set as she got two quick breaks to lead 4-1.

Sabalenka then faced three break points on her serve, but after saving all, nothing could stop her from winning 7-6(1), 6-2 in an hour and 35 minutes to book her first major final.

She will play against the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenka's compatriot Victoria Azarenka earlier today.

2023 Australian Open ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $76,500,000
2023 Australian Open ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $76,500,000

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