LIVE: Defending champ clinches ‘high-octane’ opener

Down 5-4, Sabalanka actually had her first set point of the night against the Gauff serve, but couldn’t get it done.

Sabalenka should be the one in control here – she’s been dominating the American in so many points, but has made several crucial errors.

“It’s as if these two have been itching to get at each other since that US Open final,” Sam Smith said.

Gauff is pulling out some massive first serves – her biggest of the night is north of 200km an hour.

She eventually holds, and we’re tied up at 5-all.

“This is where Sabalenka needs to not think about the US Open … she won the first set there, but she was cruising in this set at 5-2,” Jelena Dokic said in commentary for Nine.

“This is where she will be tested mentally.”

Coming into this match, no player had taken more than three games off Sabalenka in a set. Gauff has now taken five.

“Can she stay calm and composed?” Dokic posed.