SYDNEY, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- World number one Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak in Australia to 11 matches on Saturday night to reach the final at the Brisbane International tennis tournament.
Sabalenka beat 17-year-old world number 16 Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2 on center court in one hour and 29 minutes.
It marks Sabalenka's 11th win in a row in Australia -- a streak dating back to the first round of the 2024 Australian Open -- and improves her record in the country since the start of 2023 to 26 wins and one defeat, which came in the final in Brisbane in 2024.
The Belarusian has reached the final at five consecutive tournaments in Australia, winning three titles -- including the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024.
"I'm an Australian now from 2023," she said on court on Saturday night. "I love the support, I feel the support. I have goosebumps every time I feel people cheering for me. It's an amazing atmosphere."
She will play world number 107 Polina Kudermetova in Sunday's final.
The 21-year-old Kudermetova beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-4, 6-3 earlier on Saturday to reach her first career final.
In the men's draw, Reilly Opelka will face Czechia's Jiri Lehecka in the final on Sunday.
Lehecka advanced after number two seed and reigning champion Grigor Dimitrov retired from their semi-final due to injury.
Dimitrov was trailing 6-4, 4-4 when he required treatment for an apparent hip injury and withdrew from the match.
Opelka backed up his upset win over top seed Novak Djokovic on Friday night with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) win over fellow big server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a late-night match on Saturday.
In a match that featured a combined 22 aces, Opelka's ground game proved superior, with the American hitting more winners and fewer unforced errors than his French opponent. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)