Sabalenka dispatches Svitolina in semis; to face Gauff for crown

Aryna Sabalenka during her match vs Elina Svitolina. Pic/AFP

Aryna Sabalenka swept into the Madrid Open final by beating Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-5 in straight sets.

The World No.1 also ended the Ukrainian's nine match unbeaten run on clay courts this season.

Svitolina had not dropped a single set during her dominance on clay, but the Belarusian proved too tough an opponent to overcome.

Sabalenka won four of the first five games and a second break of serve was enough to pocket the opening set. She led 4-2 in the second set, but was broken when serving for the match a few games later.

However, Sabalenka responded right away with another break before sewing up victory at the second attempt.

Sabalenka is the first WTA player to win 30 matches this season and is through to her fourth Madrid Open final in five years - she won the tournament in 2021 and 2023 before losing to Iga Swiatek last year.

Sabalenka will face United States' Coco Gauff in the final today.

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