2 days Ago By Murray Wenzel
Qualifier Polina Kudermetova has blazed her way into the Brisbane International final to earn a possible date with world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 21-year-old will rise 50 places in the rankings after continuing her hot form at Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday with a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Anhelina Kalinina.
She mixed 40 winners with 35 unforced errors to ensure the match was on her racquet. The victory means Kudermetova will rise from 107 to at least No.57 in the world.
Two-time defending Australian Open champion Sabalenka will play 17-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva in Saturday night's other semi-final. The six-match winning streak in Brisbane include's Kudermetova's first top-10 scalp - No.9 Daria Kasatkina in the round of 16 - and has plunged her into a maiden WTA 500 final.
Kalinina had on Friday ended Australian hope Kimberly Birrell's joyful run to the final eight. A medical timeout to receive treatment to her right arm between sets didn't halt the Russian, who is the second qualifier to reach the Brisbane decider after Aliaksandra Sasnovich in 2018..
