Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 ranking) will face Paula Badosa (No. 12) in the semifinals at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 23.Sabalenka secured a three-set victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Paula Badosa is looking for a maiden Grand Slam final while defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is hoping for a third consecutive Australian Open win.

Aryna Sabalenka will not let her friendship with Paula Badosa affect her quest to win a third successive Australian Open title when the best friends clash in the semi-finals, the defending champion said on Tuesday.

Paula Badosa thought she might retire due to a back injury. A year later, she's in to the semifinals against close friend Aryna Sabalenka.

Paula Badosa has continued her resurgence here at the Australian Open, a dogged refusal to back down and take more seeds down, including Coco Gauff, in straight sets during the Quarter-Final match. Her shot selection was measured; she never gave up being consistent from the baseline and was also clutch on those return games in beating Gauff.

Sabalenka has won the last five meetings between these two good friends, but who will book her spot in the final?

Aryna Sabalenka is set to face her best friend Paula Badosa in the Australian Open semi-finals, aiming for a third consecutive title. Despite their friendship, Sabalenka is determined to maintain her competitive edge and join an elite group of players who have achieved consecutive wins.

Paula Badosa beats Coco Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals; defending-champion Aryna Sabalenka survives scare to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis,

The Spaniard is playing at an extremely high level heading into this semifinal showdown.

The two Women’s semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open are set, and they carry plenty of intrigue. Aryna Sabalenka is still alive in her quest to become the first three-peat champion at this Major since Martina Hingis did so from 1997-99.

The two Women’s semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open are set, and they carry plenty of intrigue. Aryna Sabalenka is still alive in her quest to become the first three-peat champion at this Major since Martina Hingis did so from 1997-99.