Australian Open 2024: Who are the four unheralded players eyeing a surprise spot in the women's singles final?
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Published 22/01/2024 at 20:20 GMT
One of Dayana Yastremska, Anna Kalinskaya, Linda Noskova or Qinwen Zheng will feature in Saturday’s Australian Open final, but who are the unheralded quartet? Zheng is the only seeded player as the foursome ready themselves for the biggest games of their lives in Tuesday’s quarter-finals. The top half of the draw was blown wide open after Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina’s early exits.
Zheng beats Dodin in straight sets to reach quarter-finals
The Australian Open women's singles final takes place on Saturday, with US Open champion Coco Gauff and second seed Aryna Sabalenka among the strongest contenders for the crown.
While those two wiill battle it out against Marta Kostyuk and ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova respectively for a spot in the semi-finals, there are four players on the opposite side of the draw enjoying fairytale runs in Melbourne.
Dayana Yastremska, Anna Kalinskaya, Linda Noskova and Qinwen Zheng all remain in the mix for a unique shot at glory after coming through their respective fourth-round matches on Monday.
No. 12 seed Zheng is the favourite by ranking to reach Saturday’s showdown. She is the only seeded player left in the top half of the draw and made light work of Oceane Dodin to reach the last eight, posting a bagel in a 6-0 6-3 win.
Neither Kalinskaya nor 19-year-old Noskova have ever gone beyond the second round of a Grand Slam, while Yastremska’s furthest run came at Wimbledon in 2019 when she reached the fourth round.
Yastremska came through qualification, is the lowest-ranked player remaining in the tournament at No. 93, and will take on 50th-ranked Noskova.
That leaves Zheng to play world No. 75 Kalinskaya, with the winners of each tie battling it out for a spot in the final.
ZHENG PLAYS DOWN ADVANTAGE
The 21-year-old is the only player with previous experience at this level of a slam, having reached the last eight of the US Open in September.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Zheng said she could not have expected to be in this position and that her quarter-final experience is not necessarily an advantage.
She said: “You never know what’s [going to] happen in tennis, right? You just focus on the opponent in front of you and it doesn’t matter how the others do because you need to play seven matches to be in the final and that’s how it is.”
On whether her run to the last eight in New York might help her, she added: “It’s tough to say because I think those who have arrived in the quarter-final, for sure, they’re all feeling really good in this tournament.
“They’re all going to give their best. I can just play my tennis and let’s see what will happen. You can’t really say it is a big benefit, it’s one player against another player and we will compete.”
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'Just play, don't think too much' - Zheng reacts to winning comfortably
KALINSKAYA TAKING HER CAMPAIGN ‘POINT BY POINT’
On paper, Kalinskaya faces the toughest test on her path to the final as she bumps into Zheng in the quarter-finals.
However, the Russian has remained grounded in her approach to what will be the biggest match of her life.
“Of course, it’s exciting to be in the quarter-finals but I’m just trying to enjoy every match and play it point by point,” Kalinskaya said.
“I don’t think I realise it yet,” the 25-year-old added on whether her current run is a career milestone.
“I’m staying calm and positive and just not thinking about what’s going on, just play and enjoy. But it’s definitely a boost of confidence for the future.”
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Jasmine Paolini v Anna Kalinskaya - Australian Open highlights
‘A TOUGH BUT INTERESTING MATCH’
Yastremska and Noskova experienced contrasting fourth-round ties.
Ukrainian Yastremska battled from 3-1 behind in the first set to win via a tie-break, before securing a straight-sets win over 18th seed Victoria Azarenka.
Elsewhere, 19-year-old Noskova was granted a walkover a 3-0 up in the opening set after Elina Svitolina retired from their encounter due to a back issue.
Looking ahead to their match-up, Yastremska is expecting another gritty battle against the teenager.
“She’s a good player,” Yastremska said. “I saw a couple of [her] matches. I think it’s going to be a tough but interesting match.
“I don’t have much to say about her, I need to be focused on myself because it’s all going to depend on myself. But she’s a great player and a good person.”
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Watch moment Yastremska clinches victory over Azarenka to reach quarter-finals
NOSKOVA HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO BEAT ANYONE
The Czech might have had an easier ride in the fourth round when she faced a troubled Svitolina, but that is not at all to say she has not earned her spot in the latter stages of the tournament.
She came back from a set down to beat four-time major champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the third round to blow the draw wide open and give her and her quarter-final counterparts a clearer path to a maiden Grand Slam title.
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Noskova completes stunning comeback victory over Swiatek - Australian Open highlights
Asked if her memorable victory over Swiatek has given her the confidence to beat anyone remaining, Noskova agreed, but also recognised there have been a lot of shock results in Melbourne this year.
“It’s the first Grand Slam of the year,” she said. “It's obviously very tough for everyone, especially for the seeded players to kind of stand their ground and play what they should and all that stuff. But anything can happen. We'll see.
“Obviously, there has been a lot of shocking results in men's and women's draws. The players that are there right now are amazing, so it will be really tough match next and hopefully the next ones, as well.”
The women's quarter-finals get underway on Tuesday, January 23.
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