By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
World number Aryna Sabalenka overcame a controversial first-set penalty to reach her fourth straight Australian Open final with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Elina Svitolina.
Sabalenka will bid for a third crown at Melbourne Park in four years and fifth Grand Slam title overall against the winner of the late semi-final between Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina at Rod Laver Arena.
She became the third woman in the professional era to reach the Australian Open decider four times in a row following Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971-76) and Martina Hingis (1997-2002), who each played six finals in a row.
“I cannot believe that,” Sabalenka said of becoming the first player since Martina Hingis in 2002 to reach four consecutive Australian Open women’s singles finals.
Sabalenka has yet to drop a set this year and is now on an 11-match winning streak.
“I just cannot believe that. It’s an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet,” world number one Sabalenka said on court. “I’m super happy with the win. She’s such a tough opponent and has been playing incredible tennis the whole week.”
“It is an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet.”
The 27-year-old will also be searching for some redemption after last year’s final, when she felt she was “not brave enough” in a three-set loss to Madison Keys.
Sabalenka’s stats – 29 winners to 15 unforced errors and dropping just 11 points on serve – show how she dominated the play, but more impressive was her mental focus.