Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka set up a tantalising Australian Open semi-final against American teenager Coco Gauff after overpowering Barbora Krejcikova in a straight-set victory.
Sabalenka's 6-2 6-3 win confirmed a repeat of September's thrilling US Open final, in which Gauff came back from a set down to win a first major title.
Gauff, 19, scraped past Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in three sets in Melbourne.
The American made 51 unforced errors but won 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who claimed her maiden singles Slam triumph on Rod Laver Arena 12 months ago, hit 20 winners and broke Czech 2021 French Open champion Krejcikova's serve six times in a devastating quarter-final display.
That was in sharp contrast to last-four opponent Gauff's victory, with the fourth seed saying she hopes to have "got the bad match out of the way" as she aims to become the first women's player since Naomi Osaka three years ago to win back-to-back majors.
The other two quarter-finals in a women's singles draw blown open by a string of high-profile early exits take place on Wednesday.
One of China's Zheng Qinwen, Russia's Anna Kalinskaya, Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska and Czech Republic's Linda Noskova - none of who have ever played in a Grand Slam semi-final - will meet Gauff or Sabalenka in Saturday's showpiece.
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Sabalenka continues to shine
Sabalenka could not have wished for a much smoother Australian Open title defence to this point.
The 25-year-old is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park this fortnight, conceding just 16 games in five matches on her way to the last four and not losing more than three games in any single set.
She took just 71 minutes to dismiss ninth seed Krejcikova - the longest she has been kept on court at this year's tournament - before she prepares to exact revenge on Gauff.
The second seed was already up a double break in the opening set by the time Krejcikova landed a first blow, momentarily reducing the deficit to 4-2 before a fired-up Sabalenka struck for a third time.
There was little Krejcikova could do to delay Sabalenka as she again trailed 4-1 in the second set, earning one break back before falling to the first of three match points on her serve.
"I think it was a really great match today. I played really great tennis," said Sabalenka.
"I really hope that I can keep playing that way, or even better."
Unbeaten in her last 12 matches in Melbourne, Sabalenka has now reached the semi-finals at her past six Grand Slams, becoming the first player to achieve that feat since Serena Williams made 10 in a row between 2014-17.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1000 HRS, JAN 24, 2024
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