Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Paula Badosa with a score of 6-4, 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, securing her place in the Australian Open women's singles final for the third consecutive year. The world No. 1 is now just one victory away from achieving a three-peat at Melbourne Park, a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999.

Badosa, who is poised to return to the WTA Rankings Top 10 following her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance, started the match strongly. However, play was interrupted when the roof over Rod Laver Arena was closed due to rain. At that point, Badosa held a 2-0, 40-0 advantage but was unable to capitalize on her three game points. This break in play allowed Sabalenka to regroup, ultimately levelling the match and winning four consecutive games. She recorded 19 winners to claim the first set 6-4.

The eleventh seed Badosa, who had previously eliminated Coco Gauff in a surprising fourth-round match, faced relentless pressure on her serve during her inaugural Grand Slam semifinal. The strain became evident as she double-faulted, granting Sabalenka an early break in the second set. Sabalenka seized the momentum, racing to a 5-1 lead before concluding the match with a powerful forehand down the line. The 26-year-old displayed remarkable improvement in the second set, increasing her first serve win percentage from 69 in the first set to 92 (12/13) and did not face a single break point, finishing the semifinal in just one hour and 23 minutes.

With this victory, Sabalenka improved her head-to-head record against Badosa to 6-2, having won both of their Grand Slam encounters, the last being in the third round at Roland Garros last year. Additionally, the two-time defending champion in Melbourne extended her winning streak at the Australian Open to 20 matches, with her last loss in the tournament occurring against Kaia Kanepi in the fourth round of the 2022 edition.

Sabalenka is set to face either World No. 2 Iga Swiatek or No. 14 Madison Keys in the final.

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