Follow live reaction from the Australian Open as Aryna Sabalenka surged into the women’s final with a 7-6(1) 6-2 win over unseeded Pole Magda Linette to extend the red-hot Belarusian's unbeaten start to the year and book a clash with Elena Rybakina.
Adelaide champion Sabalenka has not dropped a set en route to 10 wins in 2023 and had failed to get over the semi-final hurdle on three previous occasions at grand slams but was not to be denied this time, as she raced ahead 4-1 and saved three breakpoints to close out the contest with a forehand winner.
Up next for Sabalenka is Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina, who defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final. The 23-year-old has shown the same form that carried her to a maiden major title on the lawns of SW19 last summer, using her big serve and groundstrokes to overpower opponents including world number one Iga Swiatek.
Elsewhere, further controversy is surrounding Novak Djokovic in Australia after his father, Srdjan Djokovic, was filmed posing for pictures with a group of Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday. Djokovic’s win over the Russian player Andrey Rublev was followed by a showing of support for Russia on the steps of the Rod Laver Arena.
Follow live updates and scores from the Australian Open below
