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 (No. 1 ranking) will face Paula Badosa (No. 12) in the semifinals at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 23.Sabalenka secured a three-set victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Aryna Sabelenka remains on course for a historic third straight Australian Open title after beating No. 11 seed and close friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in Thursday’s first semifinal.

Aryna Sabalenka has offered to take defeated semi-finalist Paula Badosa on a shopping trip after dumping her out of the Australian Open. Sabalenka earned a guaranteed £1.5million for making it to her third consecutive Australian Open final, after beating world No.12 Badosa in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka has put herself within reach of a third-straight Australian Open title after storming through the semifinals.

Paula Badosa has continued her resurgence here at the Australian Open, a dogged refusal to back down and take more seeds down, including Coco Gauff, in straight sets during the Quarter-Final match. Her shot selection was measured; she never gave up being consistent from the baseline and was also clutch on those return games in beating Gauff.

Aryna Sabalenka has moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.

The first of two Australian Open women’s singles semifinals is set for an early Thursday morning start in Melbourne as No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka battles No. 11 Paula Badosa.

Australian Open comes to an end this weekend with Aryna Sabalenka facing Madison Keys in the women's final. Sabalenka is the world No. 1, top-seeded player of the tournament and two-time defending champion of the Australian Open.

The irresistible force of Aryna Sabalenka meets the unbreakable spirit of Madison Keys on Saturday in an Australian Open women's singles final that promises to be a thunderous slugfest.