Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 with a impressive display of raw power to reach her third successive Australian Open final on Thursday.

Top seed Sabalenka proved to be at another level, though, racking up 32 winners for the match to leave Badosa chasing shadows under the lights at Rod Laver Arena.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside Thursday to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final and stay on track for a 26-year first.

As Paula Badosa watched Aryna Sabalenka winners whizzing by her from all angles, it was game over for the Spaniard in the Australian Open semi-finals as she fell to an inspired opponent producing “PlayStation” tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start in the semifinal match as she beat Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2, thus putting an end to her dream run in Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night and return to the final.

Coco Gauff has lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals to Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-4. Tuesday’s result ended a 13-match unbeaten run that dated to last season for Gauff, the 2023

Top seed Sabalenka will meet the winner of second seed Iga Swiatek versus American Madison Keys in the decider on January 25 as she bids for a fourth Grand Slam title

Aryna Sabalenka has moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. The No. 1-ranked Sabalenka recovered from a slow start

The third-seeded Gauff, 9-0 on the year and unbeaten in 13 straight matches entering the day, was swept by 11th-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain ... Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and No. 27 seed ...

Paula Badosa of Spain is congratulated by Coco Gauff, left, of the U.S. following their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus ...