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.