Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka Sweeps Past Paula Badosa to Reach Third Consecutive Final
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside today to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final.
A Tale of Two Friends
Sabalenka last year described Badosa as her "best friend" and "soulmate", but it was all business on a cool Melbourne evening. The 11th seed Badosa stunned world No 3 Coco Gauff in straight sets to reach her maiden Slam semifinal at the age of 27 and came out swinging. Despite their close friendship, Sabalenka proved to be the stronger player, winning 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka’s Happy Place
The hard, fast courts of Melbourne Park have been the 26-year-old’s happy place. She has now won 20 straight matches at the Australian Open to close in on a third consecutive crown – something that hasn’t happened this century. The last person to achieve the feat was Martina Hingis in 1999 and only four other women have completed the three-peat – Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles.
A Super Tough Match
"Super tough match against a friend," she said. "Super happy to be through." Sabalenka’s win kept alive her quest to still be world No 1 when she leaves Melbourne. If she had lost, Swiatek would have taken it back. Should the pair meet in the final, the winner will depart the tournament with the top ranking.
Badosa’s Remarkable Comeback
Despite losing, Badosa’s run to the last four capped a remarkable comeback. A former world No 2, she spent several months out after a brutal back injury in 2023 and last year considered quitting. Instead, her Melbourne exploits will return her to the top 10 for the first time since October 2022.
Conclusion
Sabalenka’s win sets her up for a potential showdown with either Polish second seed Iga Swiatek or American 19th seed Madison Keys in Saturday’s decider. With her 20th straight win at the Australian Open, she is one step closer to achieving a historic third consecutive crown.
FAQs
- What is Aryna Sabalenka’s current ranking?
- World No 1
- How many straight matches has Sabalenka won at the Australian Open?
- 20
- Who did Sabalenka defeat in the semifinals?
- Paula Badosa
- What is the potential outcome if Sabalenka and Swiatek meet in the final?
- The winner will depart the tournament with the top ranking.