The Albany Gazette - Sabalenka sweeps into Brisbane final, defending champ Dimitrov retires hurt

Sabalenka broke Andreeva once in the first set and twice in the second to win 6-3, 6-2 in an ominous display just over a week before she launches her Australian Open defence.

Sabalenka, runner-up in Brisbane in 2024, has won the last two Australian Opens and the way she absorbed the pressure from Andreeva in the first set then turned the screws in the second showed why she is considered a strong chance to make it three in a row this year.

"I definitely think that I have improved a lot mentally, physically and skills as well," the Belarusian said.

"I think every year I'm getting a little bit better.

"Mentally and physically I'm definitely stronger than I was last year."

Sabalenka will now play Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova, who continued her fairytale week when she beat Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina 6-4, 6-3.

In the men's draw, Dimitrov retired from his semi-final with a painful hip.

Unseeded Czech player Jiri Lehecka was leading 6-4, 4-4 when the Bulgarian left the court with the physiotherapist for a medical timeout.

Dimitrov, ranked 10 in the world, returned but played one point before retiring.

Lehecka will play either American Reilly Opelka or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France in the final, both very tall men with massive serves.

It will be the 23-year-old's fourth final on the ATP Tour and he will be aiming to add the Brisbane title to his Adelaide win last January.

"I will need to be focused 100 percent all the time," Lehecka said about facing Opelka or Mpetshi Perricard in the final.

"I will need to focus on every point, every chance, because the chance can be gone in a very small moment."

(P.Davis--TAG)