By Chalien Dantes

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are on a collision course for a packed Australian Open final after both women powered through their semifinal matches in Melbourne.

The world number one stayed composed through a few shaky moments to brush aside Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, booking her fourth straight appearance in the tournament’s final.

Sabalenka shook off an early hindrance call and patches of uneven play, quickly finding her rhythm and overwhelming Svitolina without giving her a single chance. It keeps the two-time champion rolling as she chases a fifth Grand Slam singles crown and extends an 11-match winning run in Melbourne.

Rybakina followed with a rock-solid performance of her own, dispatching Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (9-7). The former Wimbledon winner now gets another shot at Sabalenka after falling short in their 2023 final clash.

Saturday’s final shapes up as a heavy-hitting duel, with both players yet to drop a set in six matches. Sabalenka has blasted more winners than anyone in the draw, while Rybakina arrives with one loss in her last 20 outings and a slight edge in their hard-court meetings.