Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka result highlights as world No.5 reaches her first major final at Australian Open

World No.5 Aryna Sabalenka is through to her first Grand Slam final after overpowering unseeded Pole Magda Linette in straight sets 7-6(1) 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-final.

It took one hour, 53 minutes at Rod Laver Arena for Sabalenka to set up a meeting with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final.

Linette fought valiantly but in the end Sabalenka simply had too much power, hitting 33 winners to nine.

The Sporting News provided live score updates, highlights and commentary for the match below.

Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka final score

Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka live blog, updates, highlights

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 2-6 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Sabalenka gets the lucky net cord drop.
• 15-15: Double fault from Aryna. Nerves.
• 30-15: Sabalenka crushes a winner. She is close now.
• 30-30: Sabalenka nets.
• 40-30: The fifth seed crushes an ace. Match point.
• Game, set, match Sabalenka: A placed forehand winner gets the world no.5 through.

Second set, Linette serve, Linette 2-5 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Linette misses going for the backhand down the line.
• 0-30: Linette goes long. This could be over soon.
• 15-30: The Pole gets one back.
• 15-40: Sabalenka's firepower is too much despite valiant Linette defence. Two match points.
• 30-40: World No.5 nets a backhand. One saved.
• 40-40: Two saved as Sabalenka hits a forehand long. Pressure?
• Adv Sabalenka: The fifth seed forces the error.
• 40-40: The Pole again saves it. Sabalenka hits wide from an angled Linette drive.
• Adv Linette: Sabalenka hits into the net from the second serve.
• Game Linette: Three match points saved by Linette. Great effort. Sabalenka hit long.

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 1-5 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Linette forced into an error.
• 15-15: Linette makes a good return and Sabalenka nets.
• 15-30: Sabalenka blasts a forehand long. Is she getting nerves?
• 15-40: Linette fighting. She crushes a winner. Can she get a break back?
• 30-40: Cracking forehand crosscourt by Aryna gets her the point. One saved.
• 40-40: Linette hits the net cord but it doesn't drop over.
• Adv Linette: Another break chance. Great line drive by the Pole.
• 40-40: Huge ace by Sabalenka.
• Adv Sabalenka: Aryna crushes a forehand to wrong-foot Linette.
• Game Sabalanka: Trouble negotiated. She edges closer with an unreturned serve.

Second set, Linette serve, Linette 1-4 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Aryna clinically places a backhand on the sideline.
• 0-30: Linette misses wide because of Sabalenka's power.
• 0-40: A lot of trouble here. Linette nets. Three set points.
• 15-40: Super volley from Linette. She saves one.
• Break Sabalenka: Slice winner from Aryna. She is closing in on the final. Double break.

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 1-3 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Unreturned serve.
• 30-0: Linette nets.
• 30-15: A mis-hit from Sabalenka just goes long.
• 40-15: Linette can't execute the drop shot.
• 40-30: Sabalenka slices into the net.
• Game Sabalenka: Linette drags a backhand too wide.

Second set, Linette serve, Linette 1-2 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Linette can't hit back Sabalenks's huge return.
• 15-15: The Pole hits her own forehand winner.
• 30-15: Aryna nets off the serve.
• 30-30: Magda is again forced to hit wide by pure power from the fifth seed.
• 30-40: Break point as Sabalenka belts another forehand winner.
• Break Sabalenka: Linette hits long and the world No.5 is on her way.

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 1-1 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Sabalenka hits a clean crosscourt forehand winner.
• 15-15: Linette forces a mis-hit from Aryna.
• 30-15: Wide ace for the world No.5
• 30-30: Sabalenka drives into the net. Unforced.
• 40-30: Linette drifts a shot just shy of the baseline.
• Game Sabalenka: Aryna cries cmon as she hooks a forehand winner.

Second set, Linette serve, Linette 1-0 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Linette plays a poor drop and Sabalenka smashes it for a winner.
• 0-30: The Pole hits long. Trouble brewing early?
• 15-30: Sabalenka forced to net.
• 30-30: The world No.5 goes long.
• 40-30: Linette forces Sabalenka into the mistake.
• Game Linette: Excellent hold from 0-30 down. Sabalenka makes the unforced error.

First set, tiebreak, Linette 6-7 Sabalenka

• 0-1 AS serve: Fifth seed crushes a winner.
• 0-2 ML serve: Sabalenka shot too heavy for Linette to get back.
• 0-3 ML serve: Double mini break for Sabalenka with her power to much
• 0-4 AS serve: Unreturned serve.
• 0-5 AS serve: Swinging second serve out wide. Sabalenka on her way.
• 0-6 ML serve: Perfect tiebreak from Sabalenka. Another winner. Six set points.
• 1-6 ML serve: Sabalenka drifts the lob too long.
• 1-7 AS serve: Tiebreak, set Sabalenka - The fifth seed is one step closer to her first Grand Slam final.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 6-6 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Linette nets unforced.
• 0-30: Double fault from the Pole. Trouble here.
• 15-30: Sabalenka nets going for the winner down the line.
• 30-30: Excellent serve-winner combo from Magda.
• 40-30: Sabalenka nearly beaten by a huge Linette shot.
• 40-40: Sabalenka belts a forehand winner.
• Adv Linette: The fifth seed nets after an amazing rally.
• Game Linette: Magda clips the let cord and line. Tiebreak, here we come.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 5-6 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Unreturned serve.
• 15-15: Double fault by the fifth seed.
• 30-15: Linette punches too long from the serve.
• 40-15: Too much power from Sabalenka. She blows Linette off the court.
• Game Sabalenka: An ace secures the game.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 5-5 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Linette counter-punches a winner. Superb.
• 30-0: Unreturned serve.
• 30-15: Linette defends long as Sabalenka crushes shots at her.
• 40-15: Sabalenka misses a shot wide.
• Game Linette: Sabalenka nets and we edge closer to a tiebreak.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 4-5 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Sabalenka comes to the net and executes a volley well.
• 30-0: Linette sprays a backhand from the Sabalenka second serve.
• 40-0: The fifth seed smashes a backhand winner. Her power is just huge.
• Game Sabalenka: Ace down the middle. Linette will serve to stay in the set.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 4-4 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Unreturned serve.
• 15-15: Linette comes in but misses a forehand winner.
• 30-15: Great wide serve. Sabalenka can only frame.
• 40-15: Linette paints the line with a forehand winner. Excellent.
• Game Linette: Great defence by Magda as Sabalenka finally goes long.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 3-4 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Linette tries a drop but Sabalenka gets there and executes a near-winner off the pass.
• 30-0: Sabalenka drills a backhand winner.
• 30-15: Linette finally moves Sabalenka and forces the error.
• 40-15: Sabalenka crushes the winner after Linette's looped return.
• Game Sabalenka: Aryna forces the error with her power hitting.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 3-3 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Sabalenka destroys the serve with a clean winner.
• 15-15: Sabalenka nets the return.
• 30-15: Aryna has Magda running, but misses the winner down the line.
• 40-15: Sabalenka slashes a return wide. The game seems to be up to what she does.
• Game Linette: Great serve by the Pole. Down the T. Sabalenka can't return.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 2-3 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Linette drives a backhand winner. She is getting good results on this side.
• 0-30: Sabalenka goes for the winner but misses.
• 15-30: This time Sabalenka doesn't miss with her huge forehand.
• 30-30: She again outpowers Linette. Runs the Pole from side to side.
• 40-30: Unreturned serve as Linette's return drifts long.
• Game Sabalenka: And another unreturned serve.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 2-2 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Sabalenka forced into an error.
• 30-0: The fifth seed makes another mistake.
• 40-0: Linette forces Sabalenka into the error.
• 40-15: Sabalenka gets the forehand winner past Linette.
• 40-30: Linette goes long.
• 40-40: The Pole make a backhand unforced error.
• Adv Sabalenka: Aryna creams a winner past her opponent.
• Break Sabalenka: Linette goes long and we are back on serve.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 2-1 Sabalenka

• 15-0: Sabalenka belts a backhand winner.
• 30-0: The fifth seed hits another one.
• 30-15: Linette's power surprises Sabalenka and she hits long.
• 30-30: Another error for the world No.5.
• 40-30:  Huge cry from Sabalenka as she bashes a winner down the line.
• Game Sabalenka: Aryna on the board. That might settle her down.

First set, Linette serve, Linette 2-0 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Sabalenka crushes a winner off the serve.
• 15-15: The fifth seed nets.
• 30-15: An ace down the T for Linette.
• 40-15: Linette wins a net point. Bringing Aryna in.
• Game Linette: Sabalenka steps in to attack the second serve but goes wide.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Linette 1-0 Sabalenka

• 0-15: Sabalenka goes with power straight away but nets.
• 0-30: Excellent defence from Linette. She absorbs and eventually forces the error.
• 0-40: Sabalenka goes long and it could be the perfect start for Magda.
• Break Linette: Sabalenka drives long again and Linette gets the break.

9:46pm AEDT: Aryna Sabalenka to serve first after the warm-up.

9:45pm AEDT: Both players are on court and about to warm-up.

4:05pm AEDT: This match will follow the completion of Rybakina and Azarenka, which commences at 7:30pm.

Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Australian Open semi-final match between Magda Linette and Aryna Sabalenka from Rod Laver Arena.

Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka head-to-head results

Linette and Sabalenka have played each other twice over the course of their careers, once in 2018 and then in 2021.

MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match

What time is Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka?

Times are approximate - subject to weather conditions and the completion of the match between Elena Rybakina and Victoria Azarenka.

How to watch Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka in the semi final of the Australian Open

Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.

The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV's 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.

Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.

UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.

Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.

UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk

USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year's Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.

ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.

Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.

Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.

Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.

The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.