Aryna Sabalenka is on the verge of making history at the Australian Open after advancing to the final with a victory over Paula Badosa. Sabalenka, the top seed, is aiming to become the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive titles at the tournament. Despite a slow start in the semifinal match, Sabalenka rallied to defeat her good friend Badosa 6-4, 6-2.
After falling behind early in the match, Sabalenka found her rhythm and dominated with powerful groundstrokes and returns. She capitalized on Badosa's errors and finished with a commanding 32-11 advantage in winners. The Belarusian star, who has already won three major titles, expressed her pride and excitement at the prospect of making history at the prestigious event.
Sabalenka's path to the final sets up a potential showdown with either Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys. Swiatek, a five-time major champion, entered the semifinals in impressive form, while Keys was riding a 10-match winning streak.
The men's semifinals are scheduled for Friday, featuring Novak Djokovic against Alexander Zverev and defending champion Jannik Sinner against Ben Shelton. The women's final will take place on Saturday, followed by the men's final on Sunday.
Despite the competitive nature of the match, Sabalenka and Badosa maintained their friendship on and off the court. The two players shared a hug at the net after the match, emphasizing their mutual respect and camaraderie. Sabalenka even joked about treating Badosa to a shopping spree to make amends for their intense battle on the court.
As Sabalenka looks ahead to the final, she remains focused on her quest for a historic third consecutive Australian Open title. With her impressive performance and unwavering determination, Sabalenka is poised to etch her name in the record books at one of tennis's most prestigious events.
