SportsLine's Jose Onorato reveals his picks for the 2025 Australian Open women's semifinal match between Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa on Thursday

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a battling 6-2 2-6 6-3 win over Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, as her quest for a third straight title at Melbourne Park gained momentum.

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 thought she might retire due to a back injury. A year later, she's in to the semifinals against close friend Aryna Sabalenka.

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

The two Women’s semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open are set, and they carry plenty of intrigue. Aryna Sabalenka is still alive in her quest to become the first three-peat champion at this Major since Martina Hingis did so from 1997-99.

Aryna Sabalenka plays Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open. Our Australian Open odds series has our Sabalenka-Badosa prediction, odds and pick. Find out how to watch Sabalenka-Badosa.