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 profitable streak into this rematch of the US Open remaining.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka has rocketed by way of the draw hovering on a 12-match Melbourne Park profitable streak.
Extra: Gauff Conquers Kostyuk for Maiden AO Semifinal
Tennis is a numbers sport, however Sabalenka is powered by a primal power 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 like it. I like it,” Sabalenka stated of her shot at Gauff. “After US Open, I actually wished that revenge, and, I imply, that is a terrific match.
“It is all the time nice battles towards Coco, with actually nice fights. I am comfortable 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 overcome second-seeded Sabalenka within the US Open remaining.
A dynamic Gauff bounced again from a jittery opening set, slashing by way of 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 a large home celebration with greater than 23,000 screaming followers relishing the trip.
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 realizing Gauff, the quickest girl within the sport, can run down would-be winners and reply with counter-strikes.
“She’s transferring rather well. Every little thing you do on court docket it is coming again,” Sabalenka stated of Gauff. “So it’s worthwhile to construct the purpose most likely couple instances in a single level, like, to have that, not like straightforward shot, however, like — yeah, straightforward shot, you already know, to complete the purpose.
“In order that’s why she’s actually powerful opponent. Yeah, however anyway, yeah, she’s a terrific 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 whole 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 typically sloppy 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2 overcome gifted and temperamental Marta Kostyuk.
Nonetheless, two-time Auckland champion Gauff, who spit up 9 double faults and gained simply 39 % of her second-serve factors towards Kostyuk, believes her problem-solving ability can assist her subdue the typically flamable Sabalenka.
“I feel for me undoubtedly my motion,” Gauff stated when requested her strengths. “When my serve is on, I feel my serve is an enormous weapon for me. Similar with returns. I did not return that properly in the present day, however often I do properly with that.
“I feel simply my psychological energy. I feel that is gotten me by way of lots of matches, and I really feel like mentally I am one of many strongest on the market, and I strive my greatest to reset after every level. Yeah, I feel these are my strengths that I can consider proper off the highest of my head.”
Picture credit score: Tim Clayton/Getty
