Novak Djokovic yesterday advanced to the final at the Adelaide International with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian Daniil Medvedev, while in the women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova were the last two left.
Serbia’s Djokovic faces Sebastian Korda of the US, who made it to the final after Yoshihito Nishioka retired hurt midway through their semi-final.
Korda broke Nishioka’s serve in the opening game of the second set and the Japanese left-hander called a medical timeout for treatment on an apparent leg injury. Nishioka returned to play a few more points before retiring mid-game, with Korda leading 7-6 (7/5), 1-0.
Photo: Reuters
Sabalenka, the world’s fifth-ranked player, had five double-faults, but finished her match against Irina-Camelia Begu with her sixth ace, winning 6-3, 6-2.
She won more than 80 percent of her points on her first serve and controlled the match from the baseline. She has not dropped a set this tournament.
“I’m happy with the level I played,” Sabalenka said. “She’s playing a little bit different style, so I’m super happy that I was able to win this match.”
Photo: AFP
Sabalenka faces teenage qualifier Noskova in the final today after the Czech beat top-seeded Ons Jabeur 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Auckland Classic
AP, AUCKLAND, New Zealand
Photo: Reuters
Top-seeded Coco Gauff yesterday advanced to the final of the Auckland Classic by beating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-0, 6-2.
The American has not yet dropped a set at the hardcourt tournament and needed a little more than an hour to defeat seventh-seeded Kovinic to reach the fourth final of her career.
“It means a lot, the last final was the French Open, but on the WTA level, the last one was Parma [in 2021], so it’s been a while,” Gauff said.
Photo: AFP
“Any final is special, especially the first week of the year. I didn’t expect this outcome coming into the tournament. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season, regardless of the result tomorrow [today],” she added.
The 18-year-old Gauff said in a courtside interview that she is “in the groove” at the start of the year and just over a week until the Australian Open after another impressive win.
“I guess” I’m in the groove, Gauff said. “I’m in the final, so it’s hard to say no to that question. It was really good on my behalf.“
Gauff was also pleased to compete in front of a crowd after a week in which persistent rain forced the majority of matches indoors without spectators.
“I’m glad I was able to play in front of you guys, finally,” she said. “It’s pretty much a sold-out house so thanks for supporting me.”
Gauff completed her win just before rain arrived to delay the second semi-final between qualifiers Ysaline Bonaventure and Rebeka Masarova, which Masarova won 6-3, 6-3 when the raiin stopped to reach her first WTA Tour final.
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