The first of two Australian Open women’s singles semifinals is set for an early Thursday morning start in Melbourne as No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka battles No. 11 Paula Badosa.

Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 with a impressive display of raw power to reach her third successive Australian Open final on Thursday.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night to return to the final.

SportsLine's Jose Onorato reveals his picks for the 2025 Australian Open women's semifinal match between Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa on Thursday

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.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semifinal match against Paula Badosa of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo ...

Coco Gauff's unbeaten start to 2025 is over. So are her hopes of winning the Australian Open. The third-seeded Gauff, 9-0 on the year and unbeaten in 13 straight matches entering the day, was swept by 11th-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain 7-5,

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semifinal match against Paula Badosa of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo ...

recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night to return to the final. Just 10 minutes in, the No. 1-ranked Sabalenka was down a break and trailed 2-0 ...

recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night and return to the final. “I have goosebumps. I'm so proud of myself. I'm proud of my team that we were able ...

Aryna Sabalenka now stands just a win away from becoming the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997 to pull off a three-peat at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start in the semifinal match as she beat Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2, thus putting an end to her dream run in Melbourne.