Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from a third consecutive Australian Open title after beating close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals. The world number one dropped her first set at Melbourne Park since the 2023 final against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova last time out but normal service was resumed in a 6-4 6-2 success.

Her opponent, Keys, also last reached the semi-finals in 2022 but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty who went on to win the tournament. Keys’s previous two outing saw her battle past Elena Rybakina in the fourth round then Elina Svitolina in the quarters. The American has had a tougher run but is a wiley competitior and should give Swiatek some trouble.

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.

No. 11 seed Paula Badosa of Spain upset American Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed, in straight sets at the Australian Open quarterfinals.

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, the women's semifinals stole the spotlight with Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys securing victories. The 2-time defending champion was seen consoling her close friend Paula Badosa and sharing laughs with her rival during their match.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka set aside the challenge of her good friend Paula Badosa, and Madison Keys prevailed over second seed Iga Swiatek in a humdinger at the Australian Open women's singles semi-finals.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made sluggish starts on Thursday but sealed contrasting victories to set up an Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's heavy hitters against each other.

When are the 2025 Australian Open semi-finals between Aryna Sabalanka and Paula Badosa, and Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys?

MELBOURNE - Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made rocky starts on Thursday but eventually secured contrasting victories to set up a heavy metal Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's big hitters against each other.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, won against her good friend, Spaniard Paula Badosa, in her own semi-final earlier in the night. American tennis player Madison Keys has reached her first Australian Open decider, saving a match point before completing a stunning upset of second seed Iga Świątek in a gripping semi-final battle.

Madison Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a nail-biter and set up an Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.