Aryna Sabalenka continues to shine on the grand stage of tennis, cementing her reputation as one of the most dominant players of her generation. The World No. 1 is set to defend her Australian Open title after advancing to her third consecutive final in Melbourne. Her path to the finals has been nothing short of extraordinary, dropping just one set throughout the tournament during a quarterfinal clash. In the semis, she faced her close friend Paula Badosa of Spain and secured her place in the final with a commanding victory, showcasing her impeccable form and mental resilience.
Aryna Sabalenka reigns supreme over Paula Badosa
In a much-anticipated semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Badosa in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-2. Despite a shaky start that saw Sabalenka trailing 2-0, 40-love within the first 10 minutes, the Belarusian quickly recalibrated her game. A change in momentum came when the Rod Laver Arena's retractable roof was closed due to light drizzle. Sabalenka used her powerful groundstrokes and precise returns to break Badosa’s serve twice in the second set, ultimately clinching the match with her signature 114 mph ace.
Sabalenka expressed her emotions following the match: "I have goosebumps. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation." She also highlighted the significance of potentially making history: "If I’ll be able to put myself in the history books, it’s going to mean a lot. It’s going to mean the world to me."
This semifinal victory not only secured her a chance at a fourth Grand Slam title but also brought her one step closer to achieving a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis in 1999: winning three consecutive Australian Open titles.
As the women’s final looms, Sabalenka looks poised to continue her legacy, awaiting a fierce challenge from world No. 12 Madison Keys who stunned world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinal 2 to secure her spot in finals of the Australian Open. With her powerful gameplay and unwavering determination, the reigning champion appears ready to etch her name deeper into tennis history.