Sabalenka Vs Badosa: Belarusian Through To AUS Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night and return to the final. Just 10 minutes into her semifinal, Sabalenka was down a break and trailed 2-0, 40-love. She was making unforced errors, shaking her head or gesturing toward her entourage in the stands after many. But the 26-year-old from Belarus quickly figured things out, especially once Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof was shut late in the first set because of a drizzle. She straightened her strokes, frequently using huge returns and groundstrokes to overpower the 11th-seeded Badosa, who had eliminated No. 3 Coco Gauff on Tuesday to reach her first major semifinal.

Australian Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Paula Badosa of Spain in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is congratulated by Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan
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Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus is congratulated by Paula Badosa of Spain following during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Aryna Sabalenka, top, of Belarus is congratulated by Paula Badosa of Spain following their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Paula Badosa plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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Paula Badosa of Spain plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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Paula Badosa of Spain reacts during her semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka reacts during match against Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semifinal match against Paula Badosa of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand return to Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a forehand return to Paula Badosa of Spain during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Paula Badosa of Spain falls during match against Aryna Sabalenka | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Paula Badosa of Spain falls during her semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Aryna Sabalenka plays a backhand return to Paula Badosa | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a backhand return to Paula Badosa of Spain during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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Australian Open 2025 Womens Singles Semi-final - Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
AUS Open 2025 Women's Singles Semi-final: Paula Badosa plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Paula Badosa of Spain plays a forehand return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

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