Aryna Sabalenka has moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka continued her charge towards a third-straight Australian Open title by overwhelming her “soulmate” Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in Thursday evening’s semifinal.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka looks unstoppable once again at the. The two-time champion raced past Paula Badosa to become the first woman to make three consecutive finals at Melbourne Park since Serena Williams.

How tough is it to play against a close friend? 'Soulmates' Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa will find out in their Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.

Paula Badosa and Madison Keys will be out to prevent a dream Australian Open final when they face Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, respectively, in Thursday's semi-finals at Melbourne Park.Sabalenka i

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.

Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final.

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.

Friends will become rivals at the Australian Open on Thursday. For the eighth time in their careers – and the fourth time in the past 12 months – Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa will do battle on court.