By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday created history as she entered her third consecutive final of the Australian Open after thrashing her best friend Paula Badosa of Spain 6-4,6-2.
Top seed Belarusian had won Australian Open in 2023 and 2024. After initial hiccups in the first set, Sabalenka never looked back and dominated the match completely through her powerful shots.
Sabalenka is the defending US Open champion also.
“Just saying that, I have goosebumps. I am so proud of myself and my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said after her victory. “It’s a privilege and if I will be able to put my name in the history, it’s going to mean the world to me,” she said.
Sabelenka, who looks favourite to win her third consecutive Australian Open championship will have the chance to become the first woman in 26 years after Martina Hingis to defend the title third time.