Aryna Sabalenka is into her first grand slam final with the powerhouse Belarusian booking an Australian Open title showdown against Elena Rybakina.
Playing in her fourth major semi-final, the 24-year-old finally found success with victory on Thursday night over unseeded Pole Magda Linette 7-6 (7-1) 6-2.
Wimbledon champion Rybakina outplayed two-time Open champion Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the other semi-final to also advance to her first decider at Melbourne Park.
The victory continued Sabalenka's stunning start to the year, the world No.5 not dropping a set in her 10-match winning streak that included a title in Adelaide.
She got off to a nervous start, giving up her opening serve to trail 0-2, but settled into the match and regrouped to win the next three games.
The tie-break was one-way traffic with Sabalenka blasting winners off both sides from the back of the court as she stormed through 7-1.
While veteran Linette toiled hard, she lacked the firepower of her opponent, who took full control, hitting 33 winners to just nine.
Up 5-1, Sabalenka had three match points on the serve of world No.45 but Linette was able to claw her way back.
The stay of execution only lasted until the next game, as Sabalenka served out the match, with an unplayable forehand icing the win.
"I'm super happy that I was able to get this win," said Sabalenka, won the 2021 Open women's doubles and the 2019 US Open, alongside Belgian Elise Mertens.
"She is an unbelievable player and she played really great tennis.
"I didn't start really well, and then in the tie-break, I found my rhythm and just start trusting myself, started going for the shots.
"It was great tennis from me in the tie-break."
She predicted a tough final on Saturday night against Kazakh Rybakina, who also boasts a big serve.
"She's playing great tennis and is super aggressive and she's already won one grand slam so she had great experience playing in a final," Sabalenka said.
Linette, who had never previously gone beyond the third round of a grand slam, can take some solace with a move up to a career-high ranking of 22 on the back of her Open charge.
