Sabalenka safely through to semis, Badosa downs Gauff

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a battling 6-2 2-6 6-3 win over Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while Spain's Paula Badosa stunned error-prone third seed Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4.

Defending champion Sabalenka looked shaky early in her quest to become the first woman to complete a "three-peat" since Martina Hingis from 1997-99 and the top seed had to manage gusty winds and a gutsy opponent to extend her Melbourne win streak to 19 matches.

"Honestly, I was just praying today. I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions," Sabalenka said.

"We both were trying to put the ball back. It was very difficult to play. She played amazing tennis, aggressive. I'm super happy I was able to somehow magically win this match."

After three straightforward holds of serve at the start of the match, Sabalenka displayed the variety she has added to her game with a drop shot from deep to earn break points and then converted it with a more familiar backhand bullet.

Pavlyuchenkova, who has the word "MEOW" tattooed on her leg in sharp contrast to the tiger on Sabalenka's arm, attempted to claw her way back in a tight game that followed but only found herself in more trouble down 4-1 after a shot into the net.

A running crosscourt winner handed Sabalenka the first set but the 26-year-old Belarusian squandered break points early in the next set before surrendering her serve for the first time, as Pavlyuchenkova showed her own repertoire of big shots.

Sabalenka splashed cold water on her face after dropping serve again to go 4-1 down and despite pulling one back with a sliced winner, the world number one allowed Pavlyuchenkova to level up the contest on Rod Laver Arena.

The breaks of serve flowed at the start of the decider before Sabalenka settled herself with a hold to go ahead 3-2 and then 5-3 up with a crucial break, which allowed her to secure victory and book a clash with best friend Paula Badosa.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Badosa on a sunbathed Rod Laver Arena earlier.

The 11th seed's two previous Grand Slam quarter-finals had resulted in disappointing defeats and she sank to her knees in disbelief after sealing the victory with her 15th winner. "I'm a bit emotional, as you know, I'm a very emotional person," said the 27-year-old after securing her first win over a top 10 seed at a major.

"The last Slams, the quarter-finals were very tough, so today I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it...I'm super proud of the level I gave today. This is a dream come true."

Gauff's bid to reach her fifth Grand Slam semi-final, and second in a row at Melbourne Park, foundered on her fragile serve and no fewer than 28 unforced errors on her forehand.

"Paula was playing great," Gauff said after her first loss in 10 matches in 2025. "I think it's just a lot more work to do, but I'm obviously disappointed, but I'm not completely crushed. I'm looking forward to a lot."

Badosa showed her intentions early on in a tight first set by attacking the 20-year-old's forehand to grab a couple of break points in the third game.

Gauff saved both but Badosa came back at her in the 11th game, earning a third break point with a backhand volley and converting it with a huge cross-court winner off the forehand.

The American fought hard to get back on serve but two wild shots helped Badosa to a set point and she converted it when the third seed went long with a forehand.

Badosa kept up the pressure in the 14-minute opening game of the second set as Gauff's serve started to creak and the 27-year-old converted her fifth break point to edge ahead.

Former US Open champion Gauff had fought back from a set down to win her last two meetings with Badosa and upped her intensity to break back for 2-2.

A fifth double fault of the match let Badosa back into the next game for a third break of the contest, while another in game seven blew the Spaniard's lead out to 5-2.

Badosa knew she was on the brink of moving into uncharted waters in her career and Gauff exploited her nerves to break back again but the Spanish number one made no mistake when serving for the match at the second attempt.

The victory was all the more special for Badosa given her long road back to fitness after suffering a stress fracture in her spine at the 2023 Italian Open.

"A year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," she said. "I won today. I'm in the semi-finals."