Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is on the verge of making history at the Australian Open, after advancing to the final with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over close friend Paula Badosa. If she triumphs in the final, Sabalenka will become the first woman in 26 years to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.

The top-seeded Belarusian made a stunning recovery after an early setback, with Badosa, contesting her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final, racing to a 2-0 lead. However, the Spaniard would win only four of the next 16 games as Sabalenka found her rhythm and took control of the match.

“Just saying that, I have goosebumps,” an emotional Sabalenka said after the match. “I am so proud of myself and my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation. It’s a privilege, and if I will be able to put my name in the history [books], it’s going to mean the world to me.”

She added, “At first, I was dreaming to win at least one Grand Slam, and now I have this opportunity – it’s incredible.”

The win marked Sabalenka’s 20th straight victory at the Australian Open, reinforcing her status as one of the tournament’s most dominant players in recent years.

Sabalenka will now face 19th ranked American Madison Keys in the championship match, after Keys booked her place with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) victory over second seed Iga Świątek in a thrilling semi-final to reach the second major final of her career.

Swiatek’s loss also means Sabalenka will retain the world number one ranking after the tournament.

Should Sabalenka clinch the title on Saturday, she will join an elite group of players, emulating the achievement of former world number one Martina Hingis, who won three consecutive Australian Open titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999.

The men’s semifinals are Friday: Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev, followed by defending champion Jannik Sinner vs. Ben Shelton.