Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made rocky starts on Thursday but eventually secured contrasting victories to set up a heavy metal Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's big hitters against each other.

How tough is it to play against a close friend? 'Soulmates' Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa will find out in their Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.

The irresistible force of Aryna Sabalenka meets the unbreakable spirit of Madison Keys on Saturday in an Australian Open women's singles final that promises to be a thunderous slugfest.

Madison Keys of Rock Island beat Iga Swiatek of Poland in a third-set tiebreaker Thursday to advance to the women's championship of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are clear favourites to win their respective semi-finals on Thursday and set up a blockbuster Australian Open title decider.

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 with a impressive display of raw power to reach her third successive Australian Open final on Thursday.

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. Sabalenka and Badosa are extremely close friends and shared a warm embrace at the end of the match,