Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from a third consecutive Australian Open title after beating close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals. The world number one dropped her first set at Melbourne Park since the 2023 final against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova last time out but normal service was resumed in a 6-4 6-2 success.

Her opponent, Keys, also last reached the semi-finals in 2022 but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty who went on to win the tournament. Keys’s previous two outing saw her battle past Elena Rybakina in the fourth round then Elina Svitolina in the quarters. The American has had a tougher run but is a wiley competitior and should give Swiatek some trouble.

Her opponent, Keys, also last reached the semi-finals in 2022 but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty who went on to win the tournament. Keys’s previous two outing saw her battle past Elena Rybakina in the fourth round then Elina Svitolina in the quarters. The American has had a tougher run but is a wiley competitior and should give Swiatek some trouble.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka set aside the challenge of her good friend Paula Badosa, and Madison Keys prevailed over second seed Iga Swiatek in a humdinger at the Australian Open women's singles semi-finals.

Madison Keys has charged into the Australian Open final and will meet two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s championship.

Aryna Sabelenka remains on course for a historic third straight Australian Open title after beating No. 11 seed and close friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in Thursday’s first semifinal.

Paula Badosa and Madison Keys will be out to prevent a dream Australian Open final when they face Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, respectively, in Thursday's semi-finals at Melbourne Park. Sabalenka is on course to become the first woman to complete a "three-peat" since Swiss great Martina Hingis from 1997-90,

Double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 to reach her third successive Australian Open final on Thursday.

The two-time defending champion Sabalenka powered her way into the final in the day’s first quarterfinal on Thursday as she ousted 11 th seed Paula Badosa of Spain 6-4, 6-2, reaching the championship match Down Under for the third consecutive year and improving her record in 2025 to 11-0.

Madison Keys claimed more games in the semifinal than the 14 total that Iga Swiatek dropped in her five previous matches over the past two weeks.

She saved a match point to stun Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) and set up a decider against Aryna Sabalenka. Read more at straitstimes.com.