“I really want that revenge”: Sabalenka looking to get even with Gauff in Australian Open semi-finals
After losing to Coco Gauff in the 2023 US Open final, Aryna Sabalenka is motivated by revenge heading into Friday’s semi-final against the American
Icon SMI / Panoramic
The last time Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff met, it was in the final of the US Open.
Sabalenka won the first set comfortably, before 19-year-old Gauff turned on the afterburners and won two straight sets to defeat the world No 2 and lift her first Grand Slam trophy.
Now, Sabalenka is out for revenge. With the pair slated to meet in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday, the Belarusian is focused on leveling the score with her rival.
“After US Open, I really wanted that revenge,” Sabalenka declared ahead of her clash with Gauff.
“It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights,” she continued. “I’m happy to play her, and I’m super excited to play that semifinal match.”
Gauff dominating Sabalenka head-to-head
Gauff leads the match-up between the two 4-2, having won three of their past four meetings. Four of their six clashes have gone to a deciding set, with the pair evenly matched in terms of power and competitiveness.
“She’s moving really well,” Sabalenka explained when asked about the challenge ahead in the Australian Open semi-finals. “Everything you do on court it’s coming back. So you need to build the point probably couple times in one point, like, to have that, not like easy shot, but, like — yeah, easy shot, you know, to finish the point.”
Sabalenka has now made six consecutive Major semi-finals, and is attempting to defend her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne this week.
