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Sabalenka sets up Australian Open semi-final with Badosa
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, January 21, 2025

ARYNA SABALENKA will face close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after battling to victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The two-time defending champion’s 18-match winning run at Melbourne Park looked in serious danger when she lost the second set on a windy Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka struggled to control her emotions and Pavlyuchenkova twice went an early break-up in the deciding set but ultimately the top seed’s power carried her to a 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory.

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