Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominance at the Australian Open, advancing to the final with a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory over her best friend Paula Badosa. The semifinal clash marked Badosa’s first appearance at this stage of a Grand Slam, but Sabalenka’s experience and composure proved decisive.
Badosa came out strong, breaking Sabalenka early to take a 2-0 lead and holding three game points for a 3-0 advantage. However, the world No.1 recovered from the shaky start, breaking back to shift the momentum and then winning four consecutive games to take control of the opening set.