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Agence France-Presse

Associated Press

Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into her second Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka.
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who is targeting a second grand slam crown, downed the American sixth seed 6-3, 7-6 in a one-hour, 40-minute arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena and has yet to drop a set all tournament.
She missed three match points on Pegula’s serve, then was broken twice while serving for the match.
In the tiebreaker, Pegula had two set points but was not able to convert and Rybakina finally clinched 29 minutes after her first match point.
“It was an epic second set,” Rybakina said. “I’m really glad I managed to win it. Jessica fought to the end. I’m just super happy to be in the final.”

Sabalenka, who will be aiming for her third Melbourne title, powered into her fourth Australian Open final in a row with a dominant win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a politically charged encounter.
There was no handshake afterwards as top-ranked Sabalenka triumphed 6-2, 6-3 to deny the 12th-seeded Svitolina a piece of history, having been on the brink of becoming the first woman from Ukraine to reach a grand slam singles final in the Open era.
Like other players from Ukraine, Svitolina does not shake hands with opponents from Russia or Moscow’s ally Belarus because of the war.
An announcement was made before the semi-final at Rod Laver Arena and a statement flashed up on a big screen saying there would be no handshake, asking fans to “respect” that.
The two players also noticeably kept apart for the prematch formalities and photos.
Sabalenka was close to tears afterwards as she reflected on the “dream” life she leads.

She had warm words for Svitolina, saying: “I’m super happy with the win; she’s a really tough opponent, she was playing really incredible tennis throughout the whole week.
“But the job is not done yet.”
Both were cheered on to court, but the reception was slightly louder for the four-time major champion from Belarus.
Each came into the encounter in red-hot form, yet to drop a set in Melbourne and on 10-match winning runs, Sabalenka having won in Brisbane in the lead-up and Svitolina triumphing in Auckland.
There was controversy at the start of the fourth game.
With the match on serve, Sabalenka was hit with a hindrance call for grunting, triggering a long video review and boos.
A clearly irritated Sabalenka lost the point but recovered her poise to break for 3-1, then held for 4-1.
Sabalenka was stunned in the final 12 months ago by Madison Keys and has said that retaking her Melbourne crown was her number one priority, calling it “trophy or nothing”.
The hard-hitting 27-year-old was in a determined mood, breaking again on the way to sealing the set in 41 dominant minutes.

The 31-year-old Svitolina struck back to start the second set, breaking the Sabalenka serve for a 2-0 lead.
A pumped-up Sabalenka roared back and reeled off five games in a row for 5-2 to stand on the cusp of another final.
Earlier, China’s Zhang Shuai reached the final of the women’s doubles, partnering Belgium’s Elise Mertens to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ena Shibahara of Japan and Russian Vera Zvonareva.
The fourth-seeded pair will face seventh seeds Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia and Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan in the final on Saturday.
Krunic and Danilina beat the fifth seeds, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani of Brazil, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 in the other semi-final.


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Australian Open

Australian Open: Rybakina, Sabalenka win comfortably to set up rematch of 2023 final

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina hits a return to Jessica Pegula of the US during their semi-final match at the Australian Open on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Elena Rybakina (left) is congratulated by Jessica Pegula after their semi-final. Photo: AP

Aryna Sabalenka (front) and Elina Svitolina avoided shaking hands after their match. Photo: Reuters

Zhang Shuai (right) and Elise Mertens have made it to the women’s doubles final. Photo: Xinhua

China bans 73 people from all football for life, hits 13 teams with fines, loss of points

Former China head coach Li Tie is among the 73 people who have been banned from all football-related activities for life. Photo: AFP

Li Tie, former head coach of Chinese national team, stands trial in March 2024. Photo: CCTV

Former CFA president Chen Xuyuan during his trial in March 2024. Photo: AFP 

Hong Kong long jumper Tiffany Yue happy to deal with funding pressure at Asian Games

Hong Kong long jumper Tiffany Yue is rebuilding her technique after an injury-plagued National Games outing last year. Photo: handout

Tiffany Yue celebrating her Asian Games bronze in Hangzhou in October 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Tennis

Both finalists have yet to drop a set as they win straightforward semi-finals; China’s Zhang Shuai also qualifies for women’s doubles final


Both finalists have yet to drop a set as they win straightforward semi-finals; China’s Zhang Shuai also qualifies for women’s doubles final.


Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina

Jessica Pegula

Zhang Shuai

Australian Open: Rybakina, Sabalenka win comfortably to set up rematch of 2023 final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Both finalists have yet to drop a set as they win straightforward semi-finals; China’s Zhang Shuai also qualifies for women’s doubles final

Both finalists have yet to drop a set as they win straightforward semi-finals; China’s Zhang Shuai also qualifies for women’s doubles final