Sabalenka Seeks Australian Open Repeat as Gauff Tests Her Resolve

Aryna Sabalenka will defend her Australian Open title this Saturday, aiming for a victory that would secure a second consecutive trip to a Grand Slam final. The dramatic paths of the women’s singles draw this year saw Coco Gauff deliver a formidable challenge, with a tense 7-6 (2) and 6-4 scoreline that underscored how closely matched the top contenders have become. The tournament’s early rounds handed a sharp reminder that nothing is guaranteed, as the two-time finalist had to withstand fierce pressure from the American in a match that could have swung in many directions. Earlier exits for Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 from Poland, and Elena Rybakina, sitting at No. 3, opened the door for a new surge toward the title, reshaping the narrative of this Grand Slam’s early stages.