Sabalenka beats Linette to set up Australian Open final with Rybakina

Adelaide champion Sabalenka has not dropped a set en route to 10 wins in 2023 but made a poor start in chilly conditions on Rod Laver Arena, dropping her serve to love in the opening game before breaking back with two blistering backhands.

The fifth seed heaped the pressure on Linette's serve in the first-set tiebreak with her power and precision to pull away and wrapped it up when her opponent sent one long, before taking full control in the next set with an early break.

Sabalenka had failed to get over the semi-final hurdle on three previous occasions at Grand Slams but was not to be denied this time, as she raced ahead 4-1 and saved three breakpoints to close out the contest with a forehand winner.

"I'm super happy that I was able to get this win and she's an unbelievable player," Sabalenka said of Linette. "She played really great tennis. The atmosphere was unbelievable.

"Just being in the final in this kind of tournament is amazing. To feel this atmosphere, to play on this court it's a great experience for me and I hope it's going to help tomorrow. Sorry, Saturday."

Up next for Sabalenka is Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina, after the Wimbledon champion got past another Belarusian and two-times Melbourne Park winner Victoria Azarenka 7-6(4) 6-3 in the first semi-final.