Tennis: Sabalenka and Keys play for title at Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys play for the title at the Australian Open. The world number one Sabalenka from Belarus defeated the Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa 6:4, 6:2 in the semi-finals and is only one win away from her desired title hat trick.

A little later, the American Keys followed her into the final in the Rod Laver Arena. The 29-year-old surprisingly won against the Polish world number two Iga Swiatek 5:7, 6:1, 7:6 (10:8) and reached her first final at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne. “I’m in the final,” said Keys after her victory in the high-class duel with Swiatek, in which she successfully fended off a match point.

Post-match shopping offer

“I’m sure she hates me for the next few hours, the whole day. That’s okay, I can handle it,” said Sabalenka after the victory over her very good friend Badosa: “If she sees that: I promise that we go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever she wants.”

At the end of the interview on the pitch, she said with a smile: “I’ll set a limit because she can be crazy.”

In the final on Saturday, Sabalenka can triumph in Melbourne for the third time after 2023 and 2024. The last time the Swiss Martina Hingis achieved this was from 1997 to 1999.

Favorite extremely dominant

Sabalenka earned her 20th win in a row at the Australian Open with her usual powerful baseline game and great quality on her own serve. Her opponent and friend Badosa, who was in the top four at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, was only able to keep up with the high pace at the beginning. After 86 minutes, Sabalenka converted her first match point. Afterwards, the friends hugged each other warmly at the net.

The duel should not harm the friendship between Sabalenka and Badosa. “Whatever happens on the court: we remain friends after our matches,” said Sabalenka.