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.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka continued her charge towards a third-straight Australian Open title by overwhelming her “soulmate” Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in Thursday evening’s semifinal.

Aryna 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)

Top seed Sabalenka is attempting to win the Australian Open for a third time in a row, something last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis.

Sabalenka and Keys played a three-set thriller in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open. Keys lost her bite under pressure and let it slip, but her nerve-rattling three-set triumph over Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals suggested a more merciless mentality.

Aryna Sabalenka will go for her third straight Australian Open title. Standing in her way is a red-hot Madison Keys. Here's everything you need to know about the final.

We're down to the final eight at the. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will look to continue their strong runs and set up a blockbuster semifinal showdown. We break down the matchups.

Double Defending Champion Aryna Sabalenka Enters Third Successive Final in Melbourne with straight sets win over Spains Paula Badosa in the womens singles semi-final on Thursday ().

The last woman to win the Australian Open three years in a row was Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999. “I am super happy to be back,” Sabalenka said. “I love this place.” In the second round ...

The Madison Keys who will play two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the title at the Australian Open on Saturday night is not the same Madison Keys who was the runner-up at the U.S. Open back in 2017,

But that could well change on Saturday, when Keys will take on two-time defending Australian Open champion Sabalenka in her second slam final having produced a stunning upset of Iga Swiatek. She is confident she has learned from her US Open experience, saying with a smile: “I’ve obviously thought of that match endlessly for the past eight years.