Contrasting victories sees US Open Final rematch await
COCO Gauff is the first woman through to the Australian Open semi finals, after she ended the exciting run of Marta Kostyuk yesterday.
In a hard fought match that lasted just over three hours, the American won the first set in a tiebreaker before Kostyuk fought back to win the second also in a tie breaker. However, Gauff proved too strong in the third set and ultimately took the win 78-66, 63-77, 6-2.
It was a game plagued by double faults and swings in momentum, with 17 double faults served between the pair.
Crucially for Gauff though, she finished with a better percentage for both her first serve in and the wins off first serve. However, the Ukrainian won a higher number of break and net points.
“Today was definitely a C game,” Gauff said post-match. “Didn’t play my best tennis, but really proud that I was able to get through.”
“Problem solving is tennis. Today was frustrating, because I knew how I needed to play, I just couldn’t execute. Eventually I was able to find it, which is what I’m proud of.
“Mentally I’m one of the strongest out there, and I try my best to reset after each point.”
She was joined in the semi final by her next opponent Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Barbora Krejcikova in the other quarter final last night.
SABALENKA SAILS PAST KREJCIKOVA
Aryna Sabalenka proved far too strong for Barbora Krejcikova, winning 6-2, 6-3, with the Czech no match for the raw power of Sabalenka.
The Belorussian served double the number of aces that Krejcikova did, while also serving one less double fault.
She also won all the crucial categories, including break points won, first serve in percentage, and the percentages for wins off first and second serve.
What is perhaps the starkest stat of all is the winners category, with Sabalenka winning that comfortably 20-6.
Speaking post match, the second seed was happy with her performance.
“I think it was a really great match today,” said Sabalenka.
“I played really great tennis. I just hope I can keep playing this way or even better. Thank you guys, the atmosphere reminded me of the atmosphere in the final last year.”
RESULTS:
2024 Australian Open – Day 10
C. Gauff [4] def. M.Kostyuk 78–66, 63–77, 6–2
A.Sabalenka [2] def. B.Krejcikova [9] 6–2, 6-3
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