Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from a record-equalling third straight Australian Open title, after she beat Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
Badosa had stunned third seed Coco Gauff en route to reaching her first major semi-final, but world number one Sabalenka simply had too much for the Spaniard on Thursday.
A 54-minute opening set did prove tricky for Sabalenka, who had to come from behind following an early break of serve from Badosa, courtesy of some loose forehands from the two-time reigning champion.
Yet Sabalenka responded as champions do, reeling off four straight games – including a 10-minute epic in the fifth – to take control of the set, and though Badosa held serve well to give herself some hope, the Belarusian nosed herself in front with a venomous ace.
Two routine holds from Sabalenka either side of a Badosa wobble made up of loose efforts into the net and an ill-timed double fault rapidly put the Belarusian 3-0 up in set two.
Badosa recovered with some more positive service games, but Sabalenka would not relinquish control, and served out the win at the first attempt, sealing victory with a drilled forehand winner.
Data Debrief: Sabalenka closes in on history
Sabalenka is the first woman to reach three singles finals in a row at the Australian Open since Serena Williams (2015-2017) and the youngest since Martina Hingis (1997-2002). She is the eighth player to achieve the feat overall.
The 26-year-old has now reached five successive hard-court Grand Slam finals. Only four other women have done so: Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis.
She is the third player in the last 10 years to win 20+ consecutive matches at one of the majors, after Williams (US Open and Wimbledon) and Iga Swiatek (French Open).
A win in the final would make her the sixth player (male or female) to win three straight Australian Open titles.
