With the victory, 26-year-old Sabalenka is the first player to reach three consecutive AO women’s singles finals since Serena Williams in 2017, and the youngest to do so since Martina Hingis in 2002.
She’s also just the third player in the past decade to notch a 20-match win streak at a single Grand Slam, joining Williams, who achieved the feat at the US Open and Wimbledon, and Iga Swiatek, who has done so at Roland Garros.
“I’m so proud of myself,” she said. “That was [a] super tough match against a friend,” said Sabalenka, who has won six of the pair’s eight meetings. “I hope she’s still my friend, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next hour, day or two,” she grinned, offering to pay for the duo’s next shopping spree, caveating there’d be a limit.
Putting their close camaraderie aside, the pair – who have described each other as ‘soulmates’ – were all business from the first point.
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A double fault from the 12th seeded Spaniard gave Sabalenka a break point opportunity in the opening game, though Badosa fended it off with a booming 189 km/h serve out wide.
A shaky first service game from the top seed was welcomed by a steady Badosa, who secured the first break of the match only to immediately concede the advantage. Forced to five deuces in her next service game, Badosa saved a trio of break points before capitulating on the fourth as a relentless Sabalenka combined her slice and power to great effect, successfully moving her opponent forwards and backwards to capture the nearly 10-minute game.
The world No.1 consolidated that break as the match progressed under a closed roof, and although an undeterred Badosa, competing in her first major semifinal, hung tough, Sabalenka maintained her lead, sealing the set with her second ace of the match.
