Australian Open—Melbourne, Australia
Sabalenka to Face Keys for 2025 Australian Open Title
Thursday’s action at the Australian Open saw top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reach her third straight final, defeating good friend and No. 11 seed Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2.
Needing one hour and 26 minutes to advance, Sabalenka hit two aces, won 77 percent of her first serve points and broke serve on four occasions.
Striking 32 winners in total, Sabalenka improved to 6-2 against Badosa in lifetime meetings and will next face No. 19 seed Madison Keys.
Keys continued her stellar 2025 by ousting No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) in two hours and 35 minutes.
The American, who improved to 13-1 on the season, used her big forehand and flat strokes to offset her Polish opponent. Hitting seven aces, winning 64 percent of her first serve points and breaking serve on eight occasions, Keys completed her victory with 36 winners.
The 29-year-old will be playing in her second career Major final. She lost in the 2017 US Open final to compatriot Sloane Stephens.
Sabalenka, who will be going for her fourth career Grand Slam, owns a 4-1 head-to-head lead over Keys heading into Saturday’s final.
Men’s Semifinal Preview
Friday’s semifinal action at Melbourne Park will feature top seed Jannik Sinner taking on No. 21 seed Ben Shelton, and No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev taking on 10-time former winner Novak Djokovic.
Sinner, who is still in-line for a repeat, takes a 4-1 series lead against his American opponent. Sinner has been in great form so far this event, losing two sets through five rounds.
The day’s first encounter will see Djokovic take a 8-4 head-to-head lead over Zverev. The legendary Serb, who is the greatest player ever on the men’s side, has lost three sets entering the semifinals.
Zverev, who will be eager to finally win his first Major, has lost two sets en-route to the finals.
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