By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, January 23, 202
Slam streaks collide when Coco Gauff faces Aryna Sabalenka within the Australian Open semifinals.
US Open champion Gauff rides a 12-match main successful streak into this rematch of the US Open ultimate.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka has rocketed via the draw hovering on a 12-match Melbourne Park successful streak.
Extra: Gauff Conquers Kostyuk for Maiden AO Semifinal
Tennis is a numbers sport, however Sabalenka is powered by a primal pressure of their rematch: revenge.
After sweeping 2021 Roland Garros singles and doubles champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3 to achieve her sixth straight Slam semifinal, Sabalenka stated she’s in a vendetta temper vs. Gauff.
“I adore it. I adore it,” Sabalenka stated of her shot at Gauff. “After US Open, I actually wished that revenge, and, I imply, that is a fantastic match.
“It is at all times nice battles in opposition to Coco, with actually nice fights. I am completely satisfied to play her, and I am tremendous excited to play that semifinal match.”
4 months in the past, Gauff hit a backhand bolt sealing her maiden Grand Slam title with gripping 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 conquer second-seeded Sabalenka within the US Open ultimate.
A dynamic Gauff bounced again from a jittery opening set, slashing via 5 straight video games to grab the second set and snatch a 4-0 lead within the third turning the most important Grand Slam stadium within the sport into an enormous home social gathering with greater than 23,000 screaming followers relishing the journey.
This time, Gauff will not have the pro-American crowd on her aspect; followers determine to be extra evenly break up.
Forward of the blockbuster semifinal rematch, Sabalenka prompt she’s going to attempt to be extra affected person developing factors figuring out Gauff, the quickest girl within the sport, can run down would-be winners and reply with counter-strikes.
“She’s transferring very well. Every thing you do on courtroom it is coming again,” Sabalenka stated of Gauff. “So you could construct the purpose in all probability couple instances in a single level, like, to have that, not like simple shot, however, like — yeah, simple shot, , to complete the purpose.
“In order that’s why she’s actually robust opponent. Yeah, however anyway, yeah, she’s a fantastic participant, and I am actually excited to play her.”
The second-seeded Belarusian has had a smoother path to this semifinal.
Sabalenka has not surrendered a set and dropped simply 16 complete video games turning into the primary defending champion since Serena Williams in 2016 to achieve the AO semifinals.
In distinction, Gauff dropped 15 video games and fought off two set factors in a tense and generally sloppy 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2 conquer gifted and temperamental Marta Kostyuk.
Nonetheless, two-time Auckland champion Gauff, who spit up 9 double faults and received simply 39 % of her second-serve factors in opposition to Kostyuk, believes her problem-solving ability might help her subdue the generally flamable Sabalenka.
“I believe for me positively my motion,” Gauff stated when requested her strengths. “When my serve is on, I believe my serve is a giant weapon for me. Similar with returns. I did not return that effectively right now, however normally I do effectively with that.
“I believe simply my psychological energy. I believe that is gotten me via quite a lot of matches, and I really feel like mentally I am one of many strongest on the market, and I strive my finest to reset after every level. Yeah, I believe these are my strengths that I can consider proper off the highest of my head.”
Picture credit score: Tim Clayton/Getty