Cool cat Aryna is too fierce for Gauff in rematch

‘TIGRESS' SABALENKA SEES OFF RIVAL TO MAKE FINAL

- Neil McLeman

ARYNA SABALENKA was hailed as "a tigress defending her lair" as she gained revenge on Coco Gauff to return to the Australian Open final.

And the Belarusian is the hot favourite to retain her title tomorrow against China's Zheng Qinwen.

American teenager Gauff had beaten Sabalenka in their previous meeting in front of a vocal New York crowd in last September's US Open final.

But back on her favourite court in the Rod Laver Arena, big-hitting Sabalenka hit 33 winners on her way to a 7-6 6-4 victory in a clash of the only two Major champions left in the tournament.