Aryna Sabalenka is looking ahead to the 2024 Australian Open semifinals after the defending women’s champion got through the last eight.
The world No.2 needed only 71 minutes to dismantle Barbora Krejcikova, 6-2,6-3, in their quarterfinal match on Tuesday. Next up for Sabalenka is reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff, whom she lost at Flushing Meadows last year.
“I love it. After the US Open, I really wanted revenge, and I mean, that’s a great match (against Gauff),” the 25-year-old Belarussian said.
“It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights, I’m super-excited to play that semifinal match,” she added.
Sabalenka raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set and was dominant in the second set. Krejcikova only slowed down the No.2 seed but the 2021 French Open champion eventually faltered.
The shock exits of world No.1 Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pagula have installed Sabalenka as the favorite. A win over US Open tormentor Gauff on Thursday would further boost the Belarussian’s chances at Melbourne Park.
Gauff reached the last four after fending off the challenge of Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, 7-6(8-6), 6-7(3-7). That match lasted three hours and eight minutes.
