NEW DELHI: Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion and world primary, superior to her third consecutive Australian Open last on Wednesday by defeating her shut buddy Paula Badosa in straight units, 6-4, 6-2.
The match came about on the Rod Laver Area, the place Sabalenka has loved large success, profitable 20 consecutive matches on the Australian Open.
Sabalenka’s victory places her getting ready to reaching a exceptional feat -– profitable three consecutive Australian Open titles, one thing that hasn’t been achieved within the 21st century.
The final participant to realize this was Martina Hingis in 1999, and solely 4 different girls have managed to win three consecutive Australian Open titles: Margaret Court docket, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles.
Regardless of their shut friendship, with Sabalenka beforehand describing Badosa as her “finest buddy” and “soulmate,” the match was a extremely aggressive affair.
Badosa, seeded 11th, had surprised world quantity three Coco Gauff within the earlier spherical to achieve her maiden Grand Slam semi-final on the age of 27.
The primary set was intently contested, with Badosa taking an early lead earlier than Sabalenka discovered her rhythm and rallied to assert the set 6-4. Within the second set, Sabalenka’s highly effective baseline sport proved an excessive amount of for Badosa, and the Belarusian secured a 6-2 victory.
Sabalenka’s win retains her in rivalry to retain her world primary rating, which might have been taken over by Iga Swiatek had she misplaced. The ultimate will decide the brand new world primary, with Sabalenka going through both Swiatek or Madison Keys.
For Badosa, regardless of the loss, her run to the semi-finals caps a exceptional comeback after a brutal again harm in 2023 that almost led her to contemplate retirement. Her efficiency in Melbourne will see her return to the highest 10 for the primary time since October 2022.
