Aryna Sabalenka sets up Australian Open semi-final with good friend Paula Badosa
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Aryna Sabalenka will face close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after battling to victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The two-time defending champion’s 18-match winning run at Melbourne Park looked in serious danger when she lost the second set on a windy Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka struggled to control her emotions and Pavlyuchenkova twice went an early break up in the deciding set but ultimately the top seed’s power carried her to a 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory. Sabalenka has now made at least the last four at seven of her last eight grand slam tournaments – she missed Wimbledon last summer through injury.
The 26-year-old said: “I was just praying today, just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions. It was very difficult to play, she played amazing tennis. “I’m just super happy I was just somehow able to win this match. I’m glad I’m in the semis and I cannot wait to play against Paula.”.
Earlier, Badosa ended Coco Gauff’s 13-match winning run to reach her first grand slam semi-final. The American third seed arrived in Melbourne as the most in-form player on tour after winning the WTA Finals to end last season and then all five singles matches at the United Cup, including a clash against Iga Swiatek.
But Gauff made 41 unforced errors and it was Spaniard Badosa who came out on top in a 7-5 6-4 victory. Badosa feared she may have to retire last year because of a persistent back problem but ended the season strongly, making the quarter-finals of the US Open, and has now hit a new high here.
