Aryna Sabalenka reaches Australian Open final, eyes historic three-peat

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Australian Open final after defeating her close friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals, marking her 20th consecutive win at the tournament. Despite a shaky start where she fell behind 2-0, Sabalenka regained control, showcasing her dominance with 32 winners throughout the match. This victory positions her to potentially become the first woman since Martina Hingis to secure three consecutive Australian Open titles. The match displayed both players' fierce competitiveness and camaraderie, with Sabalenka expressing pride in her performance and their friendship. She will face either Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the final, a highly anticipated matchup that could feature the top two seeds for the first time since 2018. Sabalenka's run solidifies her status as a formidable player as she continues to aim for another major title.