Coco Gauff advanced to the Auckland Classic final, showcasing her remarkable form leading up to the Australian Open.

Gauff, the 19-year-old US Open champion, defeated Emma Navarro, another American, 6-3, 6-1, in the semifinals.

In the Sunday final, the world no. 3 player—who is defending the Auckland title she won in 2023—will take on Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

On January 14, the Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne.

Svitolina defeated Wang Xiyu, ranked last, 2-6 6-4 6-3, requiring two medical timeouts.

Gauff hasn’t lost a set in the New Zealand Open, and her performance indicates that she could break her own record at the Australian Open, where she’s never advanced past the fourth round.

Gauff remarked, “I was just being aggressive with my serve and my return.”

She was playing really well during our practice set before the tournament began, so I knew I had to play my best if I wanted to win.

“It’s undoubtedly a positive beginning for my 2024. Emma is a fantastic athlete.”

In other places, British In the Canberra International final, which is one rung below the full WTA Tour, Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain defeated Harriet Dart in straight sets, handily in the biggest final of Dart’s career thus far.

The 27-year-old dart will now compete in the Australian Open qualifying, which gets underway on Monday.

Heather Watson lost out on a sixth WTA doubles championship at the Brisbane International.

To get to the women’s final, world No. 4 Elena Rybakina easily defeated teenage Czech Linda Noskova 6-3 6-2.

On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka, ranked second in the world, will take on Kazakhstan’s Rybakina in a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won in 2023.

In her semifinal match, Sabalenka defeated Victoria Azarenka, a fellow Belarusian, 6-2 6-4.

Following her victory, Sabalenka remarked, “I love matches against Elena [Rybakina].”

“It’s consistently excellent. I’m really excited about tomorrow’s battle and I hope it will be fantastic.”