Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet in Saturday's Australian Open final
Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina wins 6-3 7-6 (9-7) against Jessica Pegula
Earlier, Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-3 to reach fourth Melbourne final in a row
World number one Sabalenka one win away from third Australian Open title
*Pegula 3-6 0-0 Rybakina
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
When Rybakina has won the first set, she has won 22 matches in a row.
That set just took 32 minutes. She continues to play with considerable majesty and she is really on a roll.
Coverage continues on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra via the link at the top of this page.
Image source, Getty Images*Pegula 3-6 0-0 Rybakina
Of course she can!
Elena Rybakina takes the first set of this second semi-final in cruise control.
She finishes off another beautiful service game at 40-30 with a smacked cross-court backhand followed by a beautifully weighted cross-court forehand winner.
There is every opportunity for Jessica Pegula, who improved as the set went on, to get herself back in this match though.
Pegula 3-5 Rybakina*
Here we go...
Elena Rybakina dishes out a series of serves which Jessica Pegula just cannot find a decent reply to.
The fifth seed has a 40-15 advantage... can she see it out?
Pegula 3-5 Rybakina*
Image source, Getty ImagesJessica Pegula does enough to keep herself in this first set with some sweet serving.
The American closes that one out at 40-30, forcing Elena Rybakina to serve this first set out.
Even the Kazakh's mis-hits are going in today though, she was forced to make a backhand return with her hands tucked into her hip and it was perfectly executed for 30-30.
*Pegula 2-5 Rybakina
Image source, Getty ImagesElena Rybakina is an absolute winners merchant.
She has already hit six winners in this semi-final encounter - and her ability to feather forehand winners and brush backhand winners with such ease is always astonishing.
That's another service hold to 15 for the Kazakh, who is on the brink of winning the first set.
Pegula 2-4 Rybakina*
Another backhand sails long for Jessica Pegula. Another handful of break points open up for Elena Rybakina.
But Pegula finds a way back in with some better serving and hitting, drawing things back to deuce and forcing her opponent to make the mistakes in crucial moments.
*Pegula 1-4 Rybakina
Image source, Getty ImagesI can barely keep up with Elena Rybakina's service games!
The Kazakh has just raced to another service hold to love on Rod Laver Arena.
Jessica Pegula needs to adjust her positioning on the return because she is getting caught off-guard at the moment.
She has already made seven unforced errors in this match.
Pegula 1-3 Rybakina*
World number six Jessica Pegula gets herself on the board.
A 40-30 service hold will do for now, especially after a slow start.
Elena Rybakina did hit a wonderful cross-court backhand winner at 30-0 though. Her ability to make those shots look so easy is wild.
Let's see if she can hold on to her lead here...
*Pegula 0-3 Rybakina
Jessica Pegula is no pushover, but Elena Rybakina is really pulling away here.
The American does manage to push Rybakina all the way to deuce on serve, with some strong hitting from the baseline, but goes on to hit an easy backhand service return long and then nets another backhand service return.
Her opponent is gifted a 3-0 lead.
Pegula 0-2 Rybakina*
Image source, Getty ImagesElena Rybakina lands an early blow!
She didn't actually have to do too much to gain an early lead in this semi-final.
At 30-40 down, Jessica Pegula is unable to lift a backhand over the net. Disappointing for the American.
*Pegula 0-1 Rybakina
An early opportunity for the Kazakh to break here at 30-40.
The Kazakh is using her ability to hit to the back of the court with pace and depth well in these early stages - and Jessica Pegula will need to hold her nerve here.
*Pegula 0-1 Rybakina
Abigail Johnson
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
Do Pegula's previous two matches make ideal preparation for this one?
She has beaten defending champion Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova, who was on a two Grand Slam final streak. Both of those can rip the skin off of the tennis ball.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images*Pegula 0-1 Rybakina
Elena Rybakina gets herself off the mark in stunning fashion.
The Kazakh races through her service game for a hold to love in what felt like a matter of seconds.
Her strong serves could prove vital in this semi-final.
Pegula 0-0 Rybakina*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
If Rybakina hits her shots, she has got too much power and will win - but Pegula is playing really well, she is hitting her spots and serving well.
It's just that firepower we saw in that match - Sabalenka's firepower, the firepower makes a big difference in tennis these days. We know Rybakina has that.
Pegula 0-0 Rybakina*
So we already have one of our Australian Open finalists confirmed - who will join Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's deciding match in Melbourne?
Elena Rybakina will get us under way in our second women's singles semi-final. Jessica Pegula won the toss and chose to receive first.
Pegula v Rybakina
Jessica Pegula is making her semi-final debut at Melbourne Park at the age of 31.
The American sixth seed didn't drop more than three games per set in the first three rounds, and will be hoping for similar fate against 2023 Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina.
The Kazakh has posted 10 semi-final or better performances in the past 12 months, and will be looking to add to her 2022 Wimbledon title this year.
Sabalenka 6-2 6-3 Svitolina
More from Aryna Sabalenka's on-court interview - she was asked about her recovery in preparation for Saturday's final: "I am on season two of Homeland, the plan is for me and my boyfriend to finish the season! It has been forever since we started watching it and we are only on season two. First of all a little bit of a hit, [after that] it's Netflix, maybe dinner with the team and I'm ready to go."
She was also asked what her 10-year-old self would think of where she is today: "I think she would be super proud that I was able to make it. I never would have thought I was able to make it to the top 10 or be this consistent and be able to play in such big arenas.
"It is a dream life and I am grateful for everything I have. I hope she would be proud of me!"
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
You can listen to live commentary of this second Australian Open women's semi-final on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds (UK only).
Click on the link at the top of this page to listen online.
Pegula v Rybakina
Image source, Getty ImagesBoth Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina head into this semi-final without dropping a set.
It hasn't been an easy ride for either player either, with Pegula beating Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova along the way and Rybakina seeing off Elise Mertens and Iga Swiatek.
This is only the fifth time in Open era history where all four women's singles players have reached the semi-finals at a Grand Slam without dropping a set.
It last happened at a major in 1995 - and it has been 56 years since it last happened at the Australian Open.
Will either player cruise through to the final in straight sets today?
They have both just made their way onto Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka 6-2 6-3 Svitolina
Image source, Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka, speaking in her on-court interview after reaching a fourth straight Australian Open final, said: "I cannot believe that, it is an incredible achievement. But the job is not done yet.
"I am super happy with the win, she is a great opponent and was playing incredible tennis throughout the week. I am super happy to get through this tough match.
"I have been watching her game and I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could today.
"I'm glad that the level was there today. I am happy to get this win in straight sets."
