China’s 12th seed Qinwen Zheng has ended the remarkable run of Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska to reach the Australian Open women’s singles final.

Zheng had too much for a weary Yastremska in the semi-final at Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-4 6-4 in one hour, 42 minutes.

The Chinese star will now meet reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday night’s final.

Yastremska appeared to be hampered with an injury for much of the match, playing in her ninth match at Melbourne Park after qualifying for the main singles draw.

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It was a dream start for Yastremska as she held serve and broke Zheng to streak to a 2-0 lead in the first set.

But the Chinese talent broke straight back and held serve herself to tie the game up at 2-2.

Games remained on serve until Yastremska appeared to struggle with a back injury on serve, Zhang went up a break 4-3.

Immediately after dropping her serve, Yastremska took a medical timeout off court to deal with the fitness issue.

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The Ukrainian returned after over five minutes off court to earn a couple of break back points on Zheng’s serve but the 12th seed managed to hold.

Despite Yastremska fight, Zheng held on and closed the first set out 6-4, with the qualifier disappearing off court once again to deal with her injury.

Zheng secured an early break to go ahead in the second set after both players held their serve to begin.

But Yastremska showed her fighting qualities to break back straight away and level the set on serve at 2-2. 

However, possibly still suffering the effects of her injury, Yastremska lost her serve to love in the seventh game as Zheng made her move.

The Chinese no.1 held her nerve to eventually serve out the match and reach her first major final against Australian Open 2023 winner Sabalenka.

Zheng and Sabalenka have only met once before with the world no.2 winning in straight sets 6-1 6-4 on her run to the US Open 2023 final.