Sabalenka Sweeps Coco Overnight

01/25/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

#2 Aryna Sabalenka Slams the Door on #4 Coco Gauff’s Australian Open Run

A stunner down under in the overnight hours! No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff put on a show in Melbourne with another epic battle, but it was the defending champion who took down the American in straight sets. Sabalenka controlled the majority of the opening set, but Gauff hung around and nearly stole it with a late push to a tiebreaker. Sabalenka showed a ton of grit to win 11 of the last 13 points. That laid the groundwork in Set 2 where Sabalenka maintained her momentum. Gauff constantly fought off game points and made every play she could. She even staved off a late match-point, but Sabalenka fired one of her many second-set aces to slam the door. Gauff’s latest major run has come to an end, but the gritty Sabalenka hasn’t dropped a set en route to her second straight Australian Open final. She awaits the winner of this morning’s active match.

Women’s Singles (Semifinals)

#2 A. Sabalenka def. #4 C. Gauff (7-6, 6-4)

In Action This Morning (Semifinals)

#12 Q. Zheng vs. D. Yastremska (4:45 am ET)

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#6 Zverev Packs Up #2 Alcaraz

The No. 2 seed in the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz, got rolled by No. 6 Alexander Zverev in four quick sets yesterday morning. Alcaraz pulled off one set victory via tiebreaker, but the match was all Zverev. Despite 11 victories in the past two years, alongside two majors at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Alcaraz still hasn’t cracked the code at Melbourne. Meanwhile, Zverev’s storybook run could be unfolding. The 26-year-old German is still hunting his first major, and he’s within striking distance down under.

Men’s Singles (Quarterfinals)

#6 A. Zverev def. #2 C. Alcaraz (6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4)

ESPN: What Went Wrong for Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open

Photo: Martin Keep / Getty Images