World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from a hat-trick of Australian Open titles after seeing off best friend Paula Badosa to reach a third straight final.
An early break of serve each set up a tense first set on Thursday night but Sabalenka claimed a crucial break to lead 3-2, and she was hardly troubled following an immediate delay to close the roof because of light rain.
The top seed breezed through to take the set and claim a 6-4 6-2 victory in just under 90 minutes — and she will meet Madison Keys in the grand slam final after the American later edged out world No.2 Iga Swiatek in a three-set epic
