Match point Sabalenkapublished at 10:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka reaches a first match point!
Summary
Zheng Qinwen beats Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska 6-4 6-4 to reach first Grand Slam final
Chinese 12th seed will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Coco Gauff 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to reach Saturday's final
Britain's Alfie Hewett reaches wheelchair singles final but compatriot Gordon Reid loses
Get Involved: #bbctennis, text 81111 (standard rates apply), WhatsApp 03301231826
Match point Sabalenkapublished at 10:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Image source, Getty Images'Gauff needs to be brave'published at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC SoundsCoco Gauff has got to be brave here and just go for it because just getting the ball back is not going to work
Postpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka settles a few nerves with an ace.
But a massive forehand drifts long for 30-30.
'Sabalenka got tight in first set'published at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC SoundsWe saw what happened when Aryna Sabalenka had to serve out the first set. She got a bit tight.
It's always tough to serve a match out but with a serve like that, it gives you a lot of confidence.
Sabalenka serving for matchpublished at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka is a game away from reaching back-to-back Australian Open finals - and getting revenge on Coco Gauff for her US Open final defeat.
She moves three points away with a forehand winner.
But a double fault gives Gauff hope that she may tighten up again here.
Sabalenka breakspublished at 10:24 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-5 Sabalenka*
A second break point for Arynba Sabalenka, and this time she'll get a look at a second serve...
Long from Coco Gauff!
Sabalenka finally ends the American's resistance in the second set - and what a time to do so.
The defending champion will serve for the match.
Gauff saves break pointpublished at 10:22 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
*Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-4 Sabalenka
Image source, Getty ImagesAryna Sablenka punishes a second serve with a brilliant backhand down the line for 15-30, but Coco Gauff shouts 'Come on!' after responding with an ace.
Too good! Sabalenka almost takes Gauff's racquet out of her hands with a blistering cross-court return off the back hand for break point - but back comes Gauff again. A backhand winner rescues deuce.
Sabalenka holdspublished at 10:19 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
*Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-4 Sabalenka
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka works her way out of a first tight spot with a series of assured forehand winners, before a powerful backhand down the line draws a final miss from Gauff.
A fourth straight point from 0-30 is greeted by a big roar of relief from Sabalenka.
'Gauff holds her nerve'published at 10:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Sabalenka*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC SoundsCoco Gauff really dodged a bullet there with Aryna Sabalenka having a break point. Good effort from Gauff to hold her nerve.
Postpublished at 10:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Sabalenka*
Could that prove a costly miss by Sabalenka?
A loose backhand gives Gauff a rare chance at 0-30.
Gauff saves break point to holdpublished at 10:15 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Sabalenka*
Image source, Getty ImagesCoco Gauff denies Aryna Sabalenka a look at a break point as she races in to angle a forehand away for 30-30.
The American teen has a scrap on her hands to hold here though as Sabalenka does force a break point, but she recovers superbly and an ace helps her to safety.
That's three opportunities that have passed Sabalenka by now - but she is the one applying the pressure as she looks to settle this in straight sets.
Postpublished at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in MelbourneGive us an A!
Give us a R!
Give us a Y!
Give us an N!
Give us an A!
What have you got? Yep, you guessed it.
Five fellas are sat in a row just behind Sabalenka's team, each wearing a white t-shirt bearing one of the letters of her first name.
Good job they managed to sit in the right order.
Who you got?published at 10:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Tweet #bbctennis, text 81111 (standard rates apply), WhatsApp 03301231826
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesEnjoying the action so far? Get in touch with your thoughts on how this is playing out.
Use #bbctennis on X, text us on 81111 (standard rates apply) or send us a WhatsApp message on 03301231826.
Remember to leave your name and where you're from on any texts and WhatsApp messages.
Sabalenka holdspublished at 10:09 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
*Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 3-3 Sabalenka
Image source, Getty ImagesCoco Gauff ends the run of love holds by forcing an error from Aryna Sabalenka for 30-15 but the Belarusian takes charge after crashing down an overhead that threatens to bounce out of the stadium.
Another comfortable hold, though not quite perfect this time.
'Both players more relaxed'published at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 3-2 Sabalenka*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC SoundsBoth players have relaxed a bit more as they're holding serve more comfortably.
Gauff holdspublished at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 3-2 Sabalenka*
There's no sign of the double faults which hampered Coco Gauff so badly in the first set, for the time being at least.
She even throws in an ace to quickly complete a hold to love - the fourth in a row.
Sabalenka holdspublished at 10:03 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
*Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 2-2 Sabalenka
Two breaks of serve in the opening three games of the first set, but we've had just the two break point opportunities for Aryna Sabalenka so far in the second.
Sabalenka clenches her fist after guiding a volley in to settle another hold to love. It's much more consistent from both players now.
Gauff holdspublished at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 2-1 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka crouches down but can't lift a two-handed backhand back over as Gauff lines up a much more straightforward service game, and this time there are no complications.
A love hold to edge back in front will feel very nice indeed.
Sabalenka holdspublished at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
*Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 1-1 Sabalenka
Image source, Getty ImagesFour of the six matches between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, including the 2023 US Open final, have gone to three sets.
And neither player will have forgotten - for very different reasons - that Gauff recovered from a set down to triumph in New York.
After a long first game for Gauff, Sabalenka unleashes a series of winners to get up and running in no time at all with a love hold.
Gauff saves break points to holdpublished at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January
Gauff 6-7 (2-7) 1-0 Sabalenka*
Image source, Getty ImagesAgain Coco Gauff fails to close out because of a double fault.
That's eight now for the match. They're proving a huge problem for the American tonight.
But, finally, Gauff gets over the line to take the lead in the second set. An opportunity missed by Sabalenka to really assert herself.