Summary

  • Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet in Saturday's Australian Open final

  • Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina wins 6-3 7-6 (9-7) against Jessica Pegula

  • Earlier, Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-3 to reach fourth Melbourne final in a row

  • World number one Sabalenka one win away from third Australian Open title

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  1. See you later!published at 12:40 GMT 29 January

    That's all from us today. Thanks again for joining us.

    We'll be back again tomorrow for the rest of the semi-final action at Melbourne Park.

    Will Alcaraz continue his career Grand Slam bid? Will Zverev go one step closer to lifting his first major title? Will Djokovic continue his hunt for a 25th Grand Slam? Will Sinner's title defence go on?

    All of those questions will be answered tomorrow.

    In the meantime, if you missed any of today's action or talking points then you can catch up here:

    See you then!

  2. What's coming up on Friday at the Australian Open?published at 12:37 GMT 29 January

    Novak Djokovic adjusts his capImage source, Getty Images

    Friday is men's semi-final day at the Australian Open and the top four seeds have all made it through to within two wins of the title.

    World number one Carlos Alcaraz, who needs to win in Melbourne to complete a career Grand Slam, is up against third seed Alexander Zverev - who is still after a first major singles title.

    It's an early start for that one if you're in the UK! We'll be getting going with our live text updates just before the start of play at 03:30 GMT.

    Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner plays 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic in the other semi-final, which is scheduled to start at 08:30 GMT.

  3. Listen to Australian Open Dailypublished at 12:34 GMT 29 January

    BBC Sounds

    You can catch up with all the latest news and analysis from the Australian Open in our daily podcasts from Melbourne. Reflections on today's women's semi-finals will be available in the next hour or two.

    Head to BBC Sounds for all episodes.

  4. When is the women's final?published at 12:30 GMT 29 January

    The women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina is scheduled to start at 08:30 GMT on Saturday.

    Make sure you join us for live text updates and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary.

  5. Retail therapy for Rybakinapublished at 12:26 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-7 (7-9) Rybakina

    Elena Rybakina, asked about Saturday's final against Aryna Sabalenka: "It was a great battle[against Sabalenka in the 2023 final]. In the end, she played a bit better and it was well deserved.

    "I want to enjoy the final and hopefully I can serve better than today. I am so excited."

    She was also asked what her plans and preparations are before Saturday: "I will keep the routine; I will come here tomorrow and practise a bit and work with the physiotherapist.

    "Maybe to switch it up, I will go to the city for a bit of shopping, who knows? I definitely need to do something different! I want to be out of the court for some time to refresh my brain for the match."

  6. 'I had a flashback during the tie-break'published at 12:22 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-7 (7-9) Rybakina

    Elena Rybakina interviewed after her semi-final winImage source, Getty Images

    Elena Rybakina, speaking on court after her semi-final victory over Jessica Pegula: "It means a lot to me. It was such a battle, an epic second set. I'm really glad I managed to win. Jessica fought super well in the second set.

    "It was really stressful for my team and me also. I've had an epic tie-break here before and I lost it. A little flashback came, but I'm glad it turned my way in the end.

    "I am pretty proud that no matter what the situation was, I still stayed [competing] and was fighting for every point. The match started pretty well compared to previous matches, so overall a lot of positives to take.

    "Thank you for coming. I hope to see you on Saturday."

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:20 GMT 29 January

    Click the 'Get Involved' button to have your say

    The only person who can beat Sabalenka is herself now. At even 80%, she is unbeatable. Incredible athleticism combined with the purest of ball-striking. A phenomenal player.

    Mark, London

  8. Postpublished at 12:16 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-7 (7-9) Rybakina

    Elena Rybakina says she will "keep the routine" on her day off before the final, but also might "go to the city and do a little bit of shopping" to switch her brain off before the big occasion.

    That sounds like my idea of a very nice day out.

  9. Rybakina books final spot against Sabalenkapublished at 12:12 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-7 (7-9) Rybakina

    Scoreline of Elena Rybakina's win against Jessica Pegula

    For the second time in four editions, Elena Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.

    Sabalenka won the 2023 final in three sets and is after her third title in Melbourne, while Rybakina is yet to lift the trophy.

  10. game, set and match

    Game, set and match - Rybakinapublished at 12:07 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-7 (7-9) Rybakina

    Elena Rybakina shakes hands with Jessica PegulaImage source, Getty Images

    Elena Rybakina has done it!

    On her fourth match point, the Kazakh finds the breakthrough with an absolutely stunning backhand winner down the court.

    She clenches her fist and looks towards her coaching box - she knows she has set up a blockbuster final with Aryna Sabalenka.

    The 26-year-old made that harder than she needed to at the end, but she is still yet to drop a set at this year's Australian Open!

    She returns to the final for the first time since her runner-up finish in 2023.

  11. Postpublished at 12:07 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-6 (6-6) Rybakina*

    Elena Rybakina pierces Jessica Pegula's defences once more with a stunning forehand to defend the set point.

  12. Set point Pegulapublished at 12:04 GMT 29 January

    *Pegula 3-6 6-6 (6-5) Rybakina

    Jessica Pegula is absolutely peppering the backhand side of Elena Rybakina and finding an immense amount of joy from it at the moment.

  13. Postpublished at 12:03 GMT 29 January

    *Pegula 3-6 6-6 (4-4) Rybakina

    Jessica Pegula isn't done with applying the pressure yet though.

    She hits a beautiful forehand smash at the net which Elena Rybakina cannot return before forcing her opponent into yet another forehand error.

    How many times can she fight back?

  14. Postpublished at 12:01 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-6 (2-4) Rybakina*

    Elena Rybakina has the advantage at the change of ends though!

    The Kazakh crunches a forehand winner off the face of her racquet to pull ahead 4-2 in this seven-point tie-break.

    She is doing a good job of getting on with things after missing out on those match points earlier.

  15. Postpublished at 11:59 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 6-6 (2-1) Rybakina*

    Does anyone actually know which way this tie-break is going to go? I wouldn't like to place my bets either way!

    Jessica Pegula gets herself on top by reaching a cross-court backhand at full stretch before Elena Rybakina hit another backhand long.

    She absolutely has to cut those unforced errors out.

  16. Pegula breaks backpublished at 11:56 GMT 29 January

    *Pegula 3-6 6-6 (0-0) Rybakina

    Jessica Pegula clenches her fistImage source, AFP via Getty Images

    Pressure? What pressure?

    Jessica Pegula nicks the break back!

    A fantastic showing from the American sixth seed, who is making her semi-final debut in Melbourne, as she forces Elena Rybakina into yet another forehand error.

    We go into a seven-point tie-break on Rod Laver Arena...

  17. Postpublished at 11:54 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 5-6 Rybakina*

    Abigail Johnson
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

    American flags are flying with a little bit more energy in the stands now.

    Pegula is not showing all that much though - these two are not the most animated, but a tie-break could change everything.

  18. Break back point Pegulapublished at 11:53 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 5-6 Rybakina*

    Oh, hello!

    Jessica Pegula has found herself a break point up now, thanks to some stunning baseline play and excellent court coverage.

    She injected some venom into her cross-court forehands to force the error from Elena Rybakina. That's more like it.

  19. Rybakina breaks backpublished at 11:49 GMT 29 January

    Pegula 3-6 5-6 Rybakina*

    You just cannot call this set!

    Another poor split-second decision from Jessica Pegula sees Elena Rybakina open up two break points.

    The American tried to unleash the drop shot at 15-15 but failed, then her forehand sailed long at 15-40 to hand the Kazakh the break back.

    She smacks her racquet on the floor in frustration. You have to wonder why she isn't keeping things simple in vital moments.

  20. Postpublished at 11:47 GMT 29 January

    *Pegula 3-6 5-5 Rybakina

    Abigail Johnson
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

    Rybakina has been broken just six times across her six matches of this year's Australian Open. But the job is not finished.