Abu Dhabi Open: Aryna Sabalenka and Veronika Kudermetova set title-run clash

In Wednesday's final, she will attempt to end Aryna Sabalenka 14-match win streak.

Following season-ending triumphs in Ostrava and Linz, the world number 10 extended her ongoing winning run to 15 matches, prevailing 6-2 6-2 in an hour and five minutes.

"I am really proud of the fact that I was fighting no matter what", the 22-year-old said.

Kudermetova will play her first final on the WTA circuit, by overcoming, with many more problems, Kostyuk, 7-6 (8) and 6-4.

Sabalenka ended 2020 in red hot form and has carried on where she left off at Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre to stand on the brink of claiming a third successive title. "But I was like 'just keep fighting".

"I was doing everything I could in each match from the beginning, and I'm really happy to start this season with a title", Sabalenka told the media during her post-match press conference.

"I'm really happy to keep winning, and I'll do everything I can to keep winning".

The world number 46 broke Kostyuk three times in the second set to secure her spot in the championship match, in which she will have to improve on a first-serve percentage of just 46.5.

"Every final is really something special, and I would say, finals are a different competition", the Belarusian stated. Prior to today's semi-final win, the Russian's win-to-loss record in the semi-finals of tournaments was a one-sided 0-4.

"As soon as you stop working on improving your game, you'll start losing, and I think that's the key of successful people", she added.

Aoyama and Shibahara, both of Japan, defeated Sofia Kenin of the United States and Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia, 6-4, 6-3.