Aryna Sabalenka has become the 5th player in the Open Era to reach five consecutive Women’s singles Grand Slam finals on hardcourt, matching a record that hasn’t been seen in 25 years.

The world No. 1 came agonizingly close to winning a third straight title Down Under, but leaves Melbourne with plenty of positives despite a runner-up finish to Madison Keys.

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.

Aryna Sabalenka will not let her friendship with Paula Badosa affect her quest to win a third successive Australian Open title when the best friends clash in the semi-finals, the defending champion said on Tuesday.

Top seed Sabalenka is attempting to win the Australian Open for a third time in a row, something last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis.

Andy Schooler previews Saturday’s Australian Open women’s singles final between his outright pick, Aryna Sabalenka, and Madison Keys.

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, where she's three wins from achieving something no woman has done since the 1990s.

We're down to the final eight at the. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will look to continue their strong runs and set up a blockbuster semifinal showdown. We break down the matchups.

Her ball? It’s a rocket,” said world No. 10 Daria Kasatkina. “It’s like winners everywhere,” added Paula Badosa, the world No. 12. “Sometimes you’re like, ‘I’m just walking around the court because I feel like she’s playing Playstation’.

Aryna Sabalenka faces Madison Keys in the Australian Open final as the World No 1 bids to achieve the first ‘three-peat’ of women’s singles titles in 26 years, in what promises to be a battle between two big-hitters in Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenka is the first woman to reach three singles finals in a row at the Australian Open since Serena Williams (2015-2017) and the youngest since Martina Hingis (1997-2002)

2006 — Amelie Mauresmo def. Justine Henin-Hardenne, 6-1, 2-0, retired. 1981 — Martina Navratilova def. Chris Evert Lloyd, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5. 1977-Jan. — Kerry Melville Reid def. Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat, 7-5, 6-2. 1931 — Coral McInnes Buttsworth def. Marjorie Cox Crawford, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.