Coco Gauff is into the last four of the Australian Open for the very first time in 2024, just two victories away from a second grand slam title in a row after winning last year's US Open. However, despite the women's singles tournament at Melbourne Park being dominated by upsets and surprises so far — only three of the top 32 seeds remain in contention — the Floridian has been drawn against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the decider.
The 2024 Australian Open has been absolutely unprecedented for giant-killings, with last year's runner-up Elena Rykabina and world number one Iga Swiatek both losing to unseeded opposition in the second and third rounds respectively. Gauff, on the other hand, has been in sensational form so far, breezing through the early rounds without dropping a set and defeating Marta Kostyuk 7-6 6-7 6-2 in their quarterfinal clash.
In her way now is the only remaining player ranked higher than the fourth-seeded Gauff: second seed, and defending Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka. The 2023 title winner has also been imperious on her way to the last four, recording comprehensive victories from round one right up until her quarterfinal match against Barbora Krejcikova, which she won 6-2 6-3.
So with the two form players of this year's Australian Open pitted against one another for a place in the final, will Sabalenka continue her charge towards back-to-back Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cups, or could this be Gauff's moment at Melbourne Park — she defeated Sabalenka in the US Open final just a few months ago — who's to say lightning won't strike twice?
What time does Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka start?
This women's semifinal match takes place on Thursday, January 25 local time.
With Gauff and Sabalenka facing off on one side of the draw, the victor's potential opponent in the decider is also yet to be determined, with Dayana Yastremska and Zheng Qinwen fighting it out in the other semifinal.
Here's the start times for Gauff vs Sabalenka:
| Region (Time Zone) | Date | Time |
| Local (AEDT) | Thursday, January 25 | 7:30 p.m. (AEDT) |
| US (ET) | Thursday, January 25 | 3:30 a.m. ET |
| US (PT) | Thursday, January 25 | 12:30 a.m. ET |
MORE: Australian Open 2024: Best bets, predictions, odds, who will win men's singles title?
Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka live stream, TV channel
Both Fubo and ESPN+ are streaming the match live, and US fans can also tune into ESPN and the Tennis Channel to watch on TV.
| Country | TV Channel | Live Stream |
| US | ESPN, Tennis Channel | Fubo, ESPN+ |
Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka prediction
With the number of high-profile defeats and upsets we've seen at this year's Australian Open, the semifinal between Gauff and Sabalenka sees the two best (and highest seeded by some distance) remaining players going head-to-head for a chance at grand slam glory.
With the pair dropping just one set between them on their respective journeys to the last four — and that was a tight 7-6 setback for Gauff against Kostyuk — there is very, very little to separate the pair in terms of form coming into this match.
Gauff and Sabalenka have faced off six times previously, with the 19-year-old Floridian notching four wins, and despite her opponent's proven title-winning mettle at Melbourne Park, The Sporting News thinks that Gauff can repeat her US Open heroics of 2023 and defeat Sabalenka to secure her first Australian Open grand slam victory.
Prediction: Gauff to advance in three sets
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