Aryna Sabalenka says she is super excited to face Coco Gauff in the semifinals of the 2024 Australian Open and is determined to avenge her US Open loss that came in the September last year.
The World No. 2 was beaten by the sensational American teen in the 2023 US Open final a couple of months ago. Sabalenjka who lost 2-5, 6-3, 6-2 to Gauff, believes the youngster’s movement on the court makes her a formidable foe for opponents.
Gauff who earned her maiden Major crown at home by defeating Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 4-2. The American defeated the Belarusian in their first clash back in 2020.
Sabalenka displayed some sensational performances before cracking into the final four at Melbourne Park. In a flawless, display the Belarusian has yet to drop a set and has only dropped 16 games en route to the semifinal.
The World No. 2 is defending titlist at the Australian Open as she overcame Elena Rybakina in three sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam title last year.
After seeing off Barbra Krejcikova, 6-3 6-2 in the quarters, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the semifinal showdown against the Gauff.
“I love it. I love it. After US Open, I really wanted that revenge, and, I mean, that’s a great match. It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights. I’m happy to play her, and I’m super excited to play that semi-final match,” she declared.
“Yeah, she’s moving really well. Everything you do on court it’s coming back. So you need to build the point probably couple times in one point, like, to have that, not like easy shot, but, like — yeah, easy shot, you know, to finish the point.
“So that’s why she’s really tough opponent. Yeah, but anyway, yeah, she’s a great player, and I’m really excited to play her.”
The Belarusian who will play her sixth successive major final, was also quizzed about the key behind her consistency at Grand Slams.
“I think my mindset — that I’m not getting crazy on court, I’m not rushing things. You know, I’m just playing point by point, and that’s it, and fighting for every point without overthinking about my dreams, about what I want to do, about how many slams I want to win and all that stuff,” the 25-year old explained.
“I was able to separate myself from that kind of mentality and just start focusing on myself and focusing on things I can improve and I can get better in, and what I actually have to do to win every match I play.
“I mean, I used to work with psychologist for four or five years. When you’re working with psychologist at some point it’s really helping, especially for young players, just start playing, you know, on tour. But then at some point you start kind of expecting somebody to help you.
“You know, you’re not fixing your problems by yourself, you’re like expecting somebody to help you with that. I just decided at some point, like, I need to figure out by myself how to start control myself better.
“And I think that decision was the biggest decision for me and I start actually taking responsibility for everything I’m doing, and it’s really help me to become more controlled on court.”