Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka targets all-Belarusian final with Victoria Azarenka
Australian Open 2023
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 16-29 January
Coverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra ‘Tennis Breakfast’ live from Melbourne, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website & app
Aryna Sabalenka says she “really wants” to create history by setting up an all-Belarusian contest against Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open final.
Two-time winner Azarenka plays Kazakh Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the first semi-final on Thursday.
Fifth seed Sabalenka then faces Poland’s Magda Linette in the second.
However, two Belarusians competing for a Grand Slam title would likely lead to more discussion about a divisive political issue in sport.
Belarusian athletes are banned by a number of sporting governing bodies because of the country’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka has previously said “no-one supports war”, adding she was “really disappointed” politics had interfered with sport after Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon last year.
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Speaking about the prospect of facing Azarenka in the Melbourne final, Sabalenka said: “It would be history and be unbelievable.