Women's singles semi-finals on day 12 of Australian Open
Madison Keys comes from behind to stun Iga Swiatek and reach final against Aryna Sabalenka
Keys saved match point in a 5-7 6-1 7-6 (10-8) over second seed Swiatek
Sabalenka beat Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach final for third year in a row
Sabalenka will also retain world number one ranking regardless of result
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Sabalenka 2-2 Badosa*
Aryna Sabalenka follows Paula Badosa to 30-30 by putting serious pressure on the Spaniard's backhand.
From bruising power to a delicate touch, Sabelanka cuts in to a backhand drop shot to reach break point in style.
Sabalenka 2-2 Badosa*
If you didn't know they were close friends, you certainly wouldn't suspect any off-court relationship existed between these two right now.
This has been fiercely contested from the very start and, four games in, we're back level after a break of serve apiece as Aryna Sabalenka holds serve from 30-30.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 1-2 Badosa
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
That was a very important game for Aryna Sabalenka to try and reassert herself early on in this match. That will send jitters down the other end.
*Sabalenka 1-2 Badosa
Aryna Sabalenka's pressure eventually tells as Paula Badosa nets a forehand to concede on the second break point.
Three games in and it's already shaping up to be a great match.
Sabalenka 0-2 Badosa*
A huge roar from Paula Badosa as she reasserts herself, displaying great movement to force a miss from Aryna Sabalenka and reach game point.
"Come on!" Sabalenka shouts after crashing in another forehand winner in response.
The world number one can't take a first break point opportunity after Badosa makes an overhead, but she'll have another shot here.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 0-2 Badosa*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Aryna Sabalenka is all over the place, she couldn't have had a worse start.
A very worried and anguished look right down the other end to the corner where her coaching team are sitting, she raised her arms as if to say what am I doing?
She looks very stressed right now.
Sabalenka 0-2 Badosa*
Paula Badosa isn't missing right now and there are already signs of frustration written across the face of Aryna Sabalenka, a player never shy to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Badosa continues her strong start by taking the first three points in her latest game, but Sabalenka uses a blistering cross-court forehand as a springboard on her way to forcing deuce.
Sabalenka 0-2 Badosa*
Wow. Another huge miss from the world number one!
A really poor game from Aryna Sabalenka gifts a first break to Paula Badosa. A very interesting start to this one.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 0-1 Badosa
A couple of misses from Aryna Sabalenka opens the door for Paula Badosa following that thorough examination of her own serve.
Another big miss! Two break points for the 11th seed...
*Sabalenka 0-1 Badosa
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
It's pretty intense already - there's an electricity about the match.
*Sabalenka 0-1 Badosa
A tricky start for Paula Badosa, who does face one break point in her opening game - but she rescues it superbly with a big first serve.
Another gives her game point and the Spaniard is eventually rewarded for digging in. A raised fist marks the hold of serve. That will feel good.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 0-0 Badosa*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
That was the most nervy, edgy warm-up I think I've ever witnessed. I think Aryna Sabalenka looks more nervy than Paula Badosa.
Normally when you warm-up you want to feel rhythm before you go into the match and this is the most disjointed warm-up they've had.
Sabalenka 0-0 Badosa*
Paula Badosa is serving first in this first women's semi-final and it's the Spaniard who blinks first in a baseline exchange as she frames a forehand wide of the mark.
Aryna Sabalenka won't wait around here and applies some early pressure with a booming forehand for 15-30, but Badosa does really well to hang in a rally and avoid facing a couple of early break points.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnnabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa are not looking at each other, they've not had any eye contact whatsoever.
They have literally blanked each other, there has not be one single look at each other. That was really interesting.
Sabalenka v Badosa
The two friends are out warming up on Rod Laver Arena.
It can't be easy for either player, and they aren't really bothering to rally. Instead, they're just trying to belt serves and winners past each other.
Sabalenka v Badosa
Paula Badosa shocked sixth seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals as she continues her recovery from a back injury.
That injury was so severe that she even feared it would force her to retire only a year ago.
Her friendship with Aryna Sabalenka has grown over the past few years, with the pair practising together and wearing matching outfits during the 2024 US Open, as well as posting about each other on social media.
"We realised that we had very similar personalities and we get along very well, and that we're both very, very competitive," Badosa told the Tennis Channel's Inside-In podcast in March.
"It's very nice for me having a friend on tour because it's very tough to find."
Image source, Getty ImagesAnnabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Paula Badosa has been striking the ball beautifully this last week and a half, some of the tennis and ball striking and quality is second to none.
It was a huge win against Coco Gauff [in the quarter-finals] - I didn't see that coming.
Sabalenka v Badosa
While world number one Aryna Sabalenka is bidding to win a third straight Australian Open title, it is 27-year-old Paula Badosa's first time in the last four of a Grand Slam.
They have played eight times before, with Sabalenka winning the past six - but this is by far the most high-profile showdown between them.
"I love Paula very much," the 26-year-old Sabalenka said.
"She is an incredible person. It is very important to have friends on the circuit, so when you find someone who you feel is your soulmate, it is the best thing that can happen to you."
Image source, Getty ImagesAnnabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Paula Badosa is great friends with Aryna Sabalenka and is determined to get to her first Grand Slam final despite this friendship.
There is a lot at stake and I think it's going to be really fun.
Tomorrow it is the turn of the men to bid for a place in Sunday's final, with record 10-time champion Novak Djokovic up first against Alexander Zverev.
However, Djokovic skipped practice at Melbourne Park for the second day in a row on Thursday.
The Serb, coached by Andy Murray in Melbourne this year, suffered a left thigh injury during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking after that victory, Djokovic said: "It's definitely going to be challenging from every aspect. I'm playing Zverev, who is in great form, and he is going for his first grand slam.
"The extra day with no match comes at a good time. I hope to be able physically to be moving freely and to be able to be ready to play five sets."
Image source, Getty Images