This was Paula Badosa's best-ever run at a Grand Slam, with the Spaniard having previously fallen in the quarter-finals at the 2021 French Open and last year's US Open

After securing a dominant win in the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2025, Aryna Sabalenka promised her good friend Paula Badosa a 'shopping date' on Thursday, January 23. Sabalenka defeated Badosa in straight sets.

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.

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Paula Badosa in straight sets during their 2025 Australian Open semifinal match. Despite their close friendship off the court, Badosa playfully demanded a "big gift" from Sabalenka before extending her forgiveness.

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.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from a hat-trick of Australian Open titles after seeing off best friend Paula Badosa to reach a third straight final.

The 27-year-old Spaniard will face two-time defending champion and best friend Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka brushed aside her close friendship with Paula Badosa on 23 January to secure her place in a third consecutive Australian Open final. The world number one defeated the Spaniard 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena and now awaits either Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in Saturday's title clash.

Her opponent, Keys, also last reached the semi-finals in 2022 but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty who went on to win the tournament. Keys’s previous two outing saw her battle past Elena Rybakina in the fourth round then Elina Svitolina in the quarters. The American has had a tougher run but is a wiley competitior and should give Swiatek some trouble.

World No.1 tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka has won hearts across the world for a classy act after her Australian Open win over best friend Paula Badosa on Thursday night. The two-time reigning champion and overwhelming favourite proved she’s a ruthless competitor on the court, no matter the opponent, but always a good friend off it.

Aryna 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)

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka knocks out teenager Mirra Andreeva on Rod Laver Arena; Coco Gauff battles back to set up showdown with Spaniard Paula Badosa; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+,