Aryna Sabalenka shows no mercy, even against close friends like Paula Badosa on the court. Post-match, she extends a shopping invitation. Meanwhile, Madison Keys secures her spot in the final, joining sabalenka.
Melbourne – aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys are set to compete for the Australian Open title. Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked player from Belarus, triumphed over Spain’s Paula Badosa with a decisive 6:4, 6:2 victory in the semi-finals. This win brings her one step closer to achieving a remarkable three-peat at the tournament.
Shortly after, Madison Keys secured her place in the final at rod Laver Arena. The 29-year-old American delivered an unexpected victory against Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the world number two, with a thrilling 5:7, 6:1, 7:6 (10:8) scoreline. this marks Keys’ first appearance in the Australian Open final. “I’ve made it to the final,” Keys exclaimed after her hard-fought win, which included saving a match point in a nail-biting tiebreaker.
A Friendly Gesture post-Match
“I’m sure she’ll be upset with me for a while, maybe even the whole day. But that’s alright—I can handle it,” Sabalenka joked after her match against Badosa.She added with a grin, “If she’s watching this: I promise we’ll go shopping, and I’ll cover whatever she picks out.”
At the end of her on-court interview, Sabalenka playfully remarked, “I’ll set a spending limit, though. She can get a little wild with her choices.”
If Sabalenka clinches the title on Saturday, she will join an elite group of players who have won the Australian open three times consecutively. The last to achieve this feat was Switzerland’s Martina Hingis, who dominated from 1997 to 1999.
Sabalenka’s Unstoppable form
Sabalenka’s victory extended her winning streak at the Australian Open to 20 matches, showcasing her signature power from the baseline and exceptional serving. Badosa, making her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance, struggled to match Sabalenka’s intensity after a competitive start. After 86 minutes, Sabalenka sealed the win on her first match point, and the two shared a heartfelt embrace at the net.
despite the fierce competition, Sabalenka emphasized that their friendship remains intact. “No matter what happens on the court, we’ll always be friends after the match,” she stated.
