Aryna Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from a record-equalling third straight Australian Open titlemwplay888, after she beat Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
Badosa had stunned third seed Coco Gauff en route to reaching her first major semi-final, but world number one Sabalenka simply had too much for the Spaniard on Thursday.
A 54-minute opening set did prove tricky for Sabalenka, who had to come from behind following an early break of serve from Badosa, courtesy of some loose forehands from the two-time reigning champion.
Yet Sabalenka responded as champions do, reeling off four straight games – including a 10-minute epic in the fifth – to take control of the set, and though Badosa held serve well to give herself some hope, the Belarusian nosed herself in front with a venomous ace.
Two routine holds from Sabalenka either side of a Badosa wobble made up of loose efforts into the net and an ill-timed double fault rapidly put the Belarusian 3-0 up in set two.
"This series is not just about the two teams playing; it's about reviving the spirit of hockey in Delhi. We hope this will inspire more young players from the region to take up the game," Harmanpreet stated in a press release issued by Hockey India.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.
lucky slots casinoBadosa recovered with some more positive service games, but Sabalenka would not relinquish control, and served out the win at the first attempt, sealing victory with a drilled forehand winner.
3 - Aryna Sabalenka is the eighth player in the Open Era to reach three consecutive Women’s Singles finals at the Australian Open. Aussie.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/mmsPZRQ8ZN
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 23, 2025Data Debrief: Sabalenka closes in on history
Sabalenka is the first woman to reach three singles finals in a row at the Australian Open since Serena Williams (2015-2017) and the youngest since Martina Hingis (1997-2002). She is the eighth player to achieve the feat overall.
The 26-year-old has now reached five successive hard-court Grand Slam finals. Only four other women have done so: Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis.
She is the third player in the last 10 years to win 20+ consecutive matches at one of the majors, after Williams (US Open and Wimbledon) and Iga Swiatek (French Open).
A win in the final would make her the sixth player (male or female) to win three straight Australian Open titles.mwplay888