Australian Open LIVE: Latest updates from women’s semi-finals

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Nadal To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Hip Flexor Injury

Follow live updates from the Australian Open women’s semi-finals as Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final.

The 23-year-old has shown the same form that carried her to a maiden major title on the lawns of SW19 last summer, using her big serve and groundstrokes to overpower opponents including world number one Iga Swiatek. Her latest victim was two-time former champion Azarenka, who was back in the semi-finals for the first time since her second title at Melbourne Park in 2013. The Belarusian fought back from a break down in the opening set but paid for too many errors in the tie-break, and Rybakina was the more composed in the second to seal a 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory.

The fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on the unseeded Polish player Magda Linette in the other semi-final. Sabalenka has been in dominant form so far and is yet to drop a set so far this tournament, with Linette defeating Caroline Garcia and Karolina Pliskova to reach her first grand slam semi-final.

Elsewhere, further controversy is surrounding Novak Djokovic in Australia after his father, Srdjan Djokovic, was filmed posing for pictures with a group of Vladimir Putin supporters on Wednesday. Djokovic’s win over the Russian player Andrey Rublev was followed by a showing of support for Russia on the steps of the Rod Laver Arena.

Follow live updates and scores from the Australian Open below

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Australian Open 2023: *Magda Linette 2-0 Aryna Sabalenka

Oh lovely! A nice rally develops between the two women before Sabalenka brings Linette up to the net. The Pole meets the next return on the volley and plays a dainty backhand drop to win the point.

Linette holds serve as Sabalenka then hooks a backhand return of serve out of play.

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:58

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Australian Open 2023: *Magda Linette 1-0 Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka gets her first point on the board with a wonderful return from Magda Linette’s first serve, drilling the ball back past her opponent with a cross court finisher.

Linette responds brilliantly though. Consecutive aces take her back into the lead. 30-15.

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:56

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Australian Open 2023: Magda Linette 1-0 Aryna Sabalenka* – Linette breaks!

Oh here we go! Magda Linette soaks up all of Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful hits focuses on keeping the ball in play. Sabalenka tries to force the issue and makes a bunch of errors, smashing the ball over to back of court on multiple occasions.

Linette moves swiftly to 0-40 up before another error from Sabalenka gives her an early break of serve!

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:55

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Australian Open 2023: Magda Linette 0-0 Aryna Sabalenka*

Aryna Sabalenka serves first and sends the ball over to Magda Linette’s forehand. It’s a comfortable return for the Polish star but Sabalenka responds with a few powerful hits to the corner.

Linette sticks to the baseline and returns each shot before Sabalenka fires one into the net to gift her opponent the first point.

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:53

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Australian Open 2023: Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka

After taking the pre-match photos and going through a few warm up serves and rallies the players are ready to go. Magda Linette has beaten some great players in Caroline Garcia and Karolina Pliskova to reach her first grand slam semi-final.

Can she add Aryna Sabalenka to her list of defeated opponents today?

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:50

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Australian Open 2023: Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka

The second semi-final will be played between Poland’s Magda Linette and Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka. The players head out onto court at the Rod Laver Arena.

This could be a tough one for the unseeded Pole. Number five seed Aryna Sabalenka has been in brilliant form and is the heavy favourite to join Elena Rybakina in the final.

Will this semi-final play out that way or can Linette provide a shock result?

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:47

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Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 7-6 6-3 Victoria Azarenka – Game, set and match!

Elena Rybakina reaches her second grand slam final after winning at Wimbledon last year. Her gameplan of targeting Azarenka’s forehand with powerful shots paid off handsomely.

Who will join her in the final?

(EPA)

(AP)

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:44

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Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 7-6 6-3 Victoria Azarenka – Game, set and match!

More from Elena Rybakina: “Of course my team were nervous because they want me to perform well. I could not play so aggressive but I am happy that in the end I managed to win.

“But I will try my best in the final of course.

“It was really special and nervous to play in front of them [seven of the Original 9]. I want to say a big thank you from the players because it is unbelievable what you have done for us and the new generation. It means a lot.

“I got a lot of experience from Wimbledon. I want to come on court to enjoy the moment and atmosphere.

“It is incredible to play in front of you guys so thank you so much. I will fight and hopefully I will win.”

Michael Jones26 January 2023 10:40

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Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 7-6 6-3 Victoria Azarenka – Game, set and match!

Elena Rybakina: “I’m super happy and proud. It’s an incredible atmosphere, I’m super happy to be in the final and play one more time here. Today was a bit tougher for me it was different conditions, I couldn’t play really aggressive tennis, the ball was not going so much.”

Jamie Braidwood26 January 2023 10:31

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Australian Open 2023: Elena Rybakina 7-6 6-3 Victoria Azarenka – Game, set and match!

But Rybakina goes again – attacking the Azarenka serve with consecutive winners. It’s followed by a double fault, as Rybakina gets three match points to take her to the Australian Open final.

And there it is! Azarenka nets on the backhand and Rybakina moves through to her second grand slam final. She overcomes some nervy moments with an impressive second set, and gets past the challenge of two-time winner Azarenka.

Azarenka was below her best and missed chances in the first.

Jamie Braidwood26 January 2023 10:29

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