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 moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night to return to the final.

Delray Beach's Coco Gauff was eliminated from the Australian Open Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Spain's Paula Badosa. The third-seeded Gauff, who had been playing well since the end of the year, fell 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena.