The Belarusian powered her way through to the final and has a chance to make history. 9WWOS
Sabalenka threatened to claim the opening set at 6-5 after leading 0-30.
But Linette forced a tiebreak on set point with a lucky backhand that looked out before it clipped the net and changed course.After claiming the first break of the second set, the 24-year-old looked in control.Despite squandering three match points at 5-1, she managed to serve out the match in the next game.Speaking post-match, Sabalenka said she was going to embrace her nerves surrounding the final.
"It's a big tournament, a big final. If you're going to start trying to do something about that, it's going to become bigger, you know?Sabalenka will face reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina after she defeated two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. Quizzed if she watched much of Rybakina's run at the All England Club last year, Sabalenka expressed her sadness at the tournament's decision to"I was feeling really bad about that - I didn't watch Wimbledon at all."As an ongoing sanction against Russia and Belarus, athletes from those countries must compete as neutral athletes at international events.
If Sabalenka wins the women's championship, she will be listed as the first neutral player to win a grand slam title."If, if, if - I don't like to speak about 'if'," she said."If I win, you can ask that question and I will answer."For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by
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