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.

Paula Badosa beats Coco Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals; defending-champion Aryna Sabalenka survives scare to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis,

Aryna Sabalenka will face close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after battling to a 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Badosa reached the last four of a grand slam event for the first time in her career – the first Spanish woman to do so since Garbine Muguruza at Melbourne in 2020. Badosa, who w

Comeback queen Paula Badosa was on the brink of retirement before shock win over Coco Gauff thrust her into the semifinals at the Australian Open.

Paula Badosa was contemplating the unwelcome prospect of early retirement and life after tennis as she struggled with a debilitating back injury. Fast forward 12 months and the resurgent Spaniard is into her maiden major semi-final,