Aryna Sabalenka will get the opportunity to shoot for a third consecutive Australian Open title after thrashing Paula Badosa in the semi-final at Rod Laver Arena.
The world No. 1 was a point away from going down 3-0 in the first set before she took charge to annihilate the 11th seed 6-4 6-2 in one hour, 25 minutes on Thursday night.
Sabalenka will try to emulate the achievement of six other players and win three straight Australian Open titles when she plays either Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the final on Saturday night.
Badosa started the match well, saving a break point in her opening service game before blitzing Sabalenka’s serve to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Spaniard quickly went 40-0 up on her next serve but let the world No. 1 get it back to deuce and then break back.
Sabalenka put her foot down, first holding her own serve, and then breaking Badosa again to lead 3-2.
It was clear that the top seed’s power-hitting was simply too much for Badosa at this stage of the match.
Games remained on serve as Sabalenka served out the first set 6-4 to take the early advantage.
Badosa tried to change things up in the second set and come out with renewed power and focus.
But two double faults in a row during her second service game handed a cheap early break to Sabalenka.
The two-time Australian Open champion then put the foot down to hold her serve and secure a double break off Badosa, before finishing the contest off.
Sabalenka will now go into a third consecutive Australian Open final against either Swiatek or Keys, with the hopes of a historic Melbourne Park hat-trick.
