Aryna Sabalenka assured of No.1 rating even when she loses Australian Open remaining to Madison Keys

Sabalenka is eying historical past. The 26-year-old will turn into the primary to finish a hat-trick of Australian Open titles in girls’s singles on this century if she manages to get the higher of Keys within the remaining. It is going to be her twenty first straight victory on the Melbourne Park and can see her turn into the primary since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to finish a three-peat. Solely 4 different girls have completed it on the Australian Open – Margaret Courtroom, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

Three in a row is a uncommon achievement at any Slam and has solely been completed this century on three events.

At Roland Garros Justine Henin accomplished the treble in 2007 and Iga Swiatek emulated it final yr.

Serena Williams gained 23 Grand Slam singles titles however solely managed a hat-trick as soon as, on the US Open from 2012-14.

Sabalenka shall be in her fifth Slam remaining, Keys in solely her second, having misplaced the 2017 US Open remaining 6-3, 6-0 to Sloane Stephens.

Defending champion Sabalenka was hailed by crushed semi-finalist Paula Badosa as being so good it was “like she’s enjoying a PlayStation” after meting out a cruel straight-sets bludgeoning to her good buddy.

The never-say-die American Keys, who will flip 30 subsequent month, saved eight break factors and a match level in a nerve-shredding remaining set towards Iga Swiatek that went all the way in which to a 10-point tiebreak.

“Undoubtedly some big-hitting. I feel that’s going to occur,” the highly effective nineteenth seed Keys predicted of the ultimate between two comparable energy gamers.

“Not numerous lengthy factors.”

Keys and Sabalenka have met 5 instances beforehand, with the Belarusian profitable 4, most just lately on Beijing’s arduous courts final yr. Keys’s sole win got here on grass in Berlin in 2021.

“She’s enjoying unimaginable tennis,” mentioned Sabalenka.

“She’s a really aggressive participant, serving effectively, shifting effectively. She’s in nice form.

“It is going to be an excellent battle.”