Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina Highlights: Sabalenka storms into fourth straight Australian Open final with dominating win

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Aryna Sabalenka is now only the second player after Martina Hingis to make into four consecutive semifinals at the Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka does not take much time to knock out Elina Svitolina and she will now be in her fourth straight final at the Australian Open. Sabalenka did not start the match on a good note but once she got into her groove, Svitolina, like so many other players, just did not have any answers. Sabalenka wins the final game without much fuss.

Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka remains just a game away from her fourth straight final at the Australian Open now. Elina Svitolina fought hard in this game to make it 40-40 before Sabalenka brought out two serves, both over 180kmph, and Svitolina just could not defend against them.

Sabalenka 6-2, 5-2 Svitolina

Catch one of the most brilliant shots in this match from Elina Svitolina:

Elina Svitolina has just no answers to Aryna Sabalenka’s power. Svitolina led this game before Sabalenka upped the ante and in the end Svitolina’s final serve was just not strong enough. Sabalenka returned well and then found another backhand down the ground to win the game.

Sabalenka 6-2, 4-2 Svitolina

Another strong backhand from Sabalenka to break Svitolina for the third time in this match. After a good start, Svitolina is losing her way.

Sabalenka 6-2, 2-2 Svitolina

It seemed like the momentum was shifting towards Elina Svitolina but here comes Aryna Sabalenka to show why she is the top-ranked player right now. She is handed the game on a platter by Svitolina as she misses an easy point on the net and overhits the ball.

Sabalenka 6-2, 1-2 Svitolina

Elina Svitolina’s best game perhaps so far in this match. She lets Sabalenka win only a single point in this game and wraps it up in favour in no time.

Sabalenka 6-2, 0-2 Svitolina

Elina Svitolina has got an opening here. She was nowhere near a break point in this match since the opening game but now she gets an opportunity and Aryna Sabalenka makes a couple of unforced errors to help Svitolina take lead in the second set.

Sabalenka 6-2, 0-1 Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka has already smashed 19 winners in the first set. Elina Svitolina is not at her best. Her forehand speeds are down 6kmph from her previous matches and backhands too are a little slower.

The second set is now underway with Sabalenka serving.

Aryna Sabalenka ruling the Australian Open semifinal right now. She breaks Elina Svitolina once again to end the first set in just 41 minutes. A cross court backhand winner from Sabalenka to wrap up the proceedings in the opener. Svitolina is definitely struggling to match her opponent.

Sabalenka wins first set 6-2

Elina Svitolina looked like she was making a comeback but Aryna Sabalenka is alert and she does not let her opponent come too close. She takes the advantage and then shuts the game up with another solid winner. Sabalenka remains a game away from winning set now.

Sabalenka 5-2 Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka is serving right now and when she gets it right she is making it very hard for Elina Svitolina to make good returns. However, Svitolina is slowly looking like she is handling it better and now she had levelled in the seventh game. Can she keep going and break Sabalenka’s serve?

Elina Svitolina is once again stretched by Aryna Sabalenka in the sixth game but this time Svitolina does not give up on her advantage. Sabalenka cuts Svitolina’s advantage once but the next time, Svitolina smashes a brilliant ace to win the game. Sabalenka 4-2 Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka now leading 4-1 with another dominating showing in the fifth game. Her serves are touching around 180kmph and Elina Svitolina is having some tough time contending with Sabalenka’s power. Svitolina did make it 30-30 in this set but she would be disappointed with her unforced error at that point which just helped Sabalenka capitalise and win the game. Sabalenka 4-1 Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka is fired up since that hinderance call went against her and now she has broken Svitolina’s serve for the first time in this game. Svitolina took advantage twice but Sabalenka brought the game back and eventually wrapped it up in her favour with a strong forehand. Sabalenka 3-1 Svitolina now.

Elina Svitolina has taken the advantage twice now in her bid to even scores after four games. Can she get this final point to make it 2-2 here?

Aryna Sabalenka is not happy with the umpire’s call of hindrance and she has a small chat with the umpire. She wants to see it again but the ruling stays even after review. Svitolina wins the point to take 15-0 lead in foiurth game.

Aryna Sabalenka is looking really strong early on in this game. She has taken an early lead as both the players have so far retained their serves. We are still waiting for the first break by any of the players. Sabalenka currently up 2-1.

*Sabalenka 1-0 Svitolina (*server): Svitolina won the first point with a forehand winner, but it was soon 15-15 as she went long next time. An inside-out backhand fell outside and Sabalenka went 30-15. Sabalenka closes the game with a cross-court winner.

Svitolina earns the first point of the match on Sabalenka’s serve, beating her with a forehand. But then goes long, and it’s 15-all in the first game.

Huge roar for Sabalenka when her name is called out. The Belarusian world No 1 has a lot of support in the stadium. It will be a tough match for Svitolina, who is looking nervous.

Svitolina has not shaken hands with Sabalenka due to Belarus’ support for Russia inthe  war against Ukraine. They posed for photos alone.

Sabalenka is leading Svitolina here as well as they come out to the Rod Laver Arena court. Remember, Sabalenka is the defending champion and Svitolina has never won a Slam.

Svitolina has defeated Sabalenka only once. World No 1 Sabalenka is a beast. But Svitolina can win, if she doesn’t do this one thing. Try keeping the ball as much as you can in the play. Let Sabalenka make the errors.

2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber has brought the women’s singles trophy to the court.

“The energy is just amazing here. I am happy to be back. Lot of emotions,” she says.

The roof at Rod Laver Arena is closed for the semi-final. There’s some prediction of rain, so this will help.

Meanwhile, women’s doubles pair of Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic have progressd to their first Australian Open final.