MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka continued her charge towards a third-straight Australian Open title by overwhelming her “soulmate” Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in Thursday evening’s semifinal.

Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 ranking) will face Paula Badosa (No. 12) in the semifinals at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 23.Sabalenka secured a three-set victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Aryna Sabalenka has offered to take defeated semi-finalist Paula Badosa on a shopping trip after dumping her out of the Australian Open. Sabalenka earned a guaranteed £1.5million for making it to her third consecutive Australian Open final, after beating world No.12 Badosa in straight sets.