Aryna Sabalenka defeated Paula Badosa in straight sets during their 2025 Australian Open semifinal match. Despite their close friendship off the court, Badosa playfully demanded a "big gift" from Sabalenka before extending her forgiveness.

Aryna Sabalenka will not let her friendship with Paula Badosa affect her quest to win a third successive Australian Open title when the best friends clash in the semi-finals, the defending champion said on Tuesday.

Paula Badosa asked the Australian Open crowd to give a round of applause for her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is “not having the best moment” in Melbourne. Tsitsipas, a runner-up in 2023, crashed out of the opening Grand Slam of the year to American star Alex Michelsen on the second day of the tournament.

This was Paula Badosa's best-ever run at a Grand Slam, with the Spaniard having previously fallen in the quarter-finals at the 2021 French Open and last year's US Open

Former world number two Paula Badosa reached the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time, eyeing revenge against Coco Gauff. After overcoming injuries, Badosa showcased resilience, rallying from 5-2 down to defeat Olga Danilovic.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside Thursday to sweep past the Spaniard, 6-4, 6-2, and into a third successive Australian Open final.

ESPN, the official channel of the 2025 Australian Open, did not show Coco Gauff's quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa on its regular channels.

The 27-year-old Spaniard will face two-time defending champion and best friend Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. Read more at straitstimes.com.