Australian Open Will increase Prize Cash By $60 Million
Coco Gauff is eyeing a spot within the Australian Open remaining for the primary time as she takes on defending champion Aryna Sabalenka within the semi-finals of the ladies’s singles.
Gauff, the US Open champion, has been in terrific type at Melbourne Park however comes up in opposition to world No 2 Sabalenka who’s but to drop a set in 5 matches – and has dropped solely 16 video games all match. Gauff beat Sabalenka in New York for her first main in September. They are going to be on court docket at 8:30am (GMT).
The second semi-final sees each ladies chasing a spot in a Grand Slam remaining for the primary time: twelfth seed Qinwen Zheng is the favorite and is seeking to replicate childhood idol Li Na with victory in Melbourne. She takes on Ukrainian participant Dayana Yastremska, who is 2 matches away from emulating Emma Raducanu in profitable a Grand Slam as a qualifier.
Observe reside scores, updates and outcomes from the Australian Open beneath:
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Make that 16 factors in a row on serve! Wow we’re flying by means of this second set now. Gauff discovering her rhythm on serve is simply what she wants.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 10:05
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
12 factors in a row on serve. This time Sabalenka places away the volley on the web after Gauff sliced again after being compelled extensive on the forehand.
If Sabalenka minimize out the errors on the web I believe she would have received that first set fairly simply.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 10:03
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Simply what Gauff wanted: a love-hold as Sabalenka goes lengthy on the backhand return.
That is tense and has lived as much as its billing – it looks like a remaining.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:59
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka replies with a love-hold, instantly placing the stress again onto the 19-year-old Gauff.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:57
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
The double-fault disaster continues for Gauff. She makes her seventh and eighth doubles each on sport level and it means Sabalenka stays alive on this sport.
The web-play from Gauff is gorgeous on deuce, although, as she controls an overhead after which produces fantastic contact on the volley.
Sabalenka nets and that may be a massive escape for Gauff. The American got here from a set all the way down to win the US Open remaining so will imagine she remains to be on this. That second serve must tighten up, although.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:54
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Gauff comes underneath rapid stress within the opening sport of the second set as Sabalenka continues to assault her second serve…
Sabalenka produces good depth to pin Gauff onto the baseline and get a have a look at break level.
Sabalenka appeared to be in cost as she dictacted the rally however Gauff held on and Sabalenka netted on the volley!
Deuce: however Gauff can’t do sufficient on the volley and Sabalenka places away the forehand winner to deliver up one other break level.
Necessary ace from Gauff! This feels must-hold for the American.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:52
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Gauff 6-7 Sabalenka – Sabalenka wins first set!
Sabalenka finds one other winner, this time on the forehand, to maneuver to set level. And Sabalenka takes it behind one other aggressive forehand strike! A rollercoaster of a gap set goes the way in which of the defending champion.
That’s was a tense first set however filled with high quality as each gamers attacked the opposite’s weaknesses and showcased their strenghts. Each had the possibility to serve for the set however in the long run it’s Sabalenka who prevails within the tiebreak.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:44
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Gauff 6-6 Sabalenka – TIEBREAK!
Elegant from Sabalenka to take cost from the baseline and crush the forehand winner behind Gauff to get to 2-0 early within the decider.
It sits up effectively for Sabalenka once more and he or she crushes the backhand winner… sending Gauff falling to the bottom behind the baseline. She seems okay. 3-0.
And that is turning right into a landslide… Gauff fires extensive, simply, on the backhand and Sabalenka leads 4-0.
Sabalenka assaults the Gauff second serve once more and the defending champion leads 5-1 on the changeover.
Gauff got here from 5-2 down on this set however this seems achieved…
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:38
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
*Gauff 6-6 Sabalenka – Sabalenka breaks!
Unimaginable attacking motion from Gauff to shut the web and put away the backhand volley to get to 30-0!
Sabalenka finds nice depth to the baseline, although, after which Gauff blinks on the forehand from midcourt!
Instantly it’s again to 30-30 and Sabalenka isn’t out of this but… That’s why: Sabalenka crushes the backhand crosscourt!
Break level: Sabalenka goes after the Gauff forehand and will get her reward!
One other twist!!! Sabalenka breaks Gauff and we’re heading to a first-set tiebreak.
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:35
Australian Open LIVE: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
*Gauff 6-5 Sabalenka – Gauff breaks!
Unimaginable defence once more from Gauff! She works her manner into the rally and forces Sabalenka to cowl the baseline, resulting in the forehand error.
And now it’s break level Gauff…
That’s a HUGE ERROR from Sabalenka! From midcourt, she shanks the forehand extensive!
However that’s what Gauff’s defence does to you! Sabalenka blinks and is going through the stress now!
Jamie Braidwood25 January 2024 09:32