Sabalenka downs Pavlyuchenkova to reach Oz semi-finals

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.

Sabalenka struggled to control her emotions and Pavlyuchenkova twice went an early break up in the deciding set but ultimately the top seed's power carried her to a 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory.

Sabalenka has now made at least the last four at seven of her last eight grand slam tournaments - she missed Wimbledon last summer through injury.

The 26-year-old said: "I was just praying today, just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions. It was very difficult to play, she played amazing tennis.

"I'm just super happy I was just somehow able to win this match. I'm glad I'm in the semis and I cannot wait to play against Paula."

Badosa ended Coco Gauff's winning run to reach her first grand slam semi-final after recording a 7-5 6-4 win.

The American third seed arrived in Melbourne as the most in-form player on tour after winning the WTA Finals to end last season and then all five singles matches at the United Cup, including a clash against Iga Swiatek.

She went into the clash with 11th seed Badosa on a 13-match winning streak but it was the Spaniard who came out on top.

Paula Badosa's more conservative strategy paid dividends against Coco Gauff, with the latter registering a greater number of winners but also far more unforced errors

Badosa feared she may have to retire last year because of a persistent back problem but ended the season strongly, making the quarter-finals of the US Open, and has now hit a new high here.

"Today I came in and I wanted to play my best game, and I think I did it," she said. "Coco, at the beginning she was playing insane tennis, but I’m super proud of the level I gave today.

"A year ago I was here with my back and I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport and now I’m here playing against the best in the world. I won today, I’m in the semi-finals. I will never think that a year after I would be here."

First Grand Slam semifinal, first win against a Top 10 opponent in a Grand Slam - Paula Badosa, this was a lesson in class and conviction 👏👏@wwos @espn @eurosport @wowowtennis @paulabadosa #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/O14jgI05KT — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025

Both players held serve until 5-5 in the first set, when Badosa struck, and the 27-year-old then opened up a 5-2 lead in the second set.

She was unable to serve it out at the first time of asking but made no mistake the second time around to set up a clash against either top seed Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Gauff was left to rue 41 unforced errors but was philosophical afterwards, saying: "Paula was playing great. Maybe some moments in the first set could have gone my way, could have been a different outcome in the first set.

"I think it’s just a lot more work to do. I’m obviously disappointed, but I’m not completely crushed. I’m looking forward to a lot. Even though I lost today, I feel like I’m in an upward trajectory."

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