đ The stats
Inâ their seven encounters,Aryna Sabalenka â˘has won five âŁtimes,including⣠the last â˘three. The Belarusian has alsoâ won 10 âof the 14 sets played between the âŁtwo â˘players. The last time they met, in the⣠third round of Roland-Garros 2024, Sabalenka won in straight sets â(6-3, 6-4).
đ The form
Sabalenka arrives â¤in this semi-final with a series of 12⤠consecutive victories, includingâ a title in Brisbane and a final in Adelaide. Badosa,⢠forâ her part,⤠has just won her first title of the season in Hobart, after a difficult 2023 marked by â˘injuries.
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đž The game
Sabalenka is known forâ her aggressive âstyle of play, with a powerful serve and a devastating forehand. Badosa, conversely, relies more onâ her consistency and her ability to â˘vary the game. The Spaniard has also improved her âserve âŁin recent months, â¤which could be a key element in this match.
đ The stakes
For Sabalenka, it’s about confirming her âŁstatus as world No. 1 and continuing â˘her momentum towards a secondâ Grand Slam title. For Badosa, it’s an opportunity to return to the forefront â˘of the circuit and prove that⤠she is back at her best level.
đâ Head-to-Head Showdown
These two competitors âhave clashed seven times on the professional circuit.Initially, the⢠Spanish âplayer securedâ victories in their firstâ two encounters back in 2021, during âthe Cincinnati tournament âŁand the WTA Finals. However,â the currentâ world No. 1 has since dominated their matchups, claiming three wins last year alone, â¤including a decisive third-round victory at âRoland-Garros 2024.
đ¤â¤ Player Insights
Aryna sabalenka shared her thoughts: â”Sheâsâ an unbelievable athlete who has ânavigated various phases in âher career. Itâs inspiring to âsee her âreturn to peak form.â I watched her matches⤠in Melbourne, and her⣠performance was notable. My â˘strategy â¤will be to stay âŁfocused, maintain aggression, â¤and keep her under â¤constant pressure.⣠Iâmâ excited for⢠our⤠semifinal âŁclashâitâs goingâ to be an intense battle.”
Paula âBadosa added: “Aryna has shown why sheâs at the top of the rankings. Her consistency and aggressive play make her âa⤠formidable opponent. I faced her last âŁyear, but Iâm in a much better place⢠now. Iâm â˘really looking⢠forward to this match!”
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đâ By the Numbers
Out of their seven meetings, Aryna Sabalenka âŁhas emerged⢠victorious five times, âŁwith a streak of threeâ consecutive wins. She has⣠also claimedâ 10â of â˘the 14 âsets theyâve played. â¤Their most âŁrecent encounter at Roland-Garros 2024 saw Sabalenka dominate with a straight-setsâ victory (6-3, â˘6-4).
đ Current Form
Sabalenka enters this semifinal riding a wave of 12 straight wins, highlighted by a title in âbrisbane and a runner-up finish in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Badosa has recently claimed â¤her first title of the⣠season in âHobart, marking a⢠strong comeback after⤠a â˘challenging 2023 plagued by injuries.
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đž Playing Styles
Sabalenkaâs game is âdefined by her aggressive approach, featuringâ a powerful serve and a dominant forehand. âŁIn contrast, Badosa excels inâ consistency and tactical versatility, with notable improvements in her serve over recent monthsâa factor that âcould play a pivotal role in this matchup.
đ Whatâs at Stake
for Sabalenka,â this â˘match is an opportunity to solidify âŁher position as the worldâs top player and edge closer to a second Grand⢠Slam title.For⢠Badosa, itâs a â˘chance toâ reassert herself⤠as a top contender and demonstrate that âŁsheâs regained her best form.