Sabalenka Faces Badosa in Australian Open Semifinal Showdown

MELBOURNE, Australia — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Spain‘s Paula Badosa clashed in a high-stakes semifinal match at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Rod Laver Arena. The match marked a pivotal moment for both players, with Sabalenka aiming for her third consecutive Australian Open title and Badosa seeking her first Grand Slam final appearance.

Sabalenka, the defending champion, entered the match with a dominant record, having won five of their seven previous encounters. Badosa, ranked 12th in the world, arrived in Melbourne in peak form, having defeated top players like Coco Gauff en route to the semifinals. The Spaniard, known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, faced a formidable opponent in Sabalenka, whose relentless power and consistency have made her a force on hard courts.

“Aryna is showing why she’s the number one. She’s very consistent, aggressive, and intense. I’m really looking forward to playing this match,” Badosa said before the match. The Spaniard also reflected on her mental growth since a tough loss at the 2024 US Open, emphasizing her readiness for the challenge.

Sabalenka, who has been in stellar form, expressed her determination to learn from past setbacks. “I think almost all of us learn through tough experiences. I had a big one at the US Open. I remember sitting down and saying, I want to be back there to have another chance to do better,” she said.

The match began with Badosa serving under overcast skies, but the weather held, allowing play to proceed without the roof. The first set saw intense rallies, with both players trading breaks early on. Sabalenka’s powerful groundstrokes and Badosa’s precision kept the crowd on edge. The Belarusian eventually closed out the set with a series of clutch serves and aggressive net play.

Badosa, aiming to become the fourth Spanish woman to reach the Australian Open final, fought valiantly in the second set. Her powerful serve and deep returns forced Sabalenka into errors, leveling the match. However, Sabalenka’s experience and composure in key moments proved decisive in the third set, as she secured her place in the final.

The match was a testament to the evolution of both players. Sabalenka, who has now reached six consecutive Grand Slam semifinals on hard courts, is on the brink of making history. Badosa, despite the loss, will break into the top 10 for the first time, a milestone that reflects her progress over the past year.

This semifinal clash was not just a battle for a spot in the final but also a showcase of the modern game’s power and athleticism. With Sabalenka’s 129 winners in five matches and Badosa’s impressive serve speed of 192 km/h, the match lived up to its billing as a contest between two of the sport’s most dynamic players.