Schedule and Preview Australian Open 2025 Wednesday 22 January including Sabalenka – Badosa and Swiatek – Keys
WTA
The women’s singles semifinals take centre stage at the Australian Open, as top contenders Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek aim to maintain their dominance and set up a dream final at Melbourne Park. The two-time defending champion Sabalenka faces her close friend Paula Badosa, while Swiatek takes on the last American in the draw, World No. 14 Madison Keys.
Sabalenka vs Badosa
7:00 PM - Rod Laver Arena
The first night session match features defending champion Aryna Sabalenka against her close friend, Spain’s Paula Badosa, in their eighth Tour encounter (Sabalenka leads 5-2). The Belarusian enters with a 10-0 record in 2025 and an incredible 19-match winning streak at the Australian Open, solidifying her status as the favourite to claim a spot in the final.
After cruising through the opening rounds, Sabalenka encountered resistance from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinals. For the first time in the tournament, the World No. 1 dropped a set, struggling with unforced errors and difficulties on serve. She had to recover from a break down twice in the final set, before eventually clinching a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory.
Her opponent, Paula Badosa, the 11th seed, is playing the best tennis of her career. The Spaniard defeated Coco Gauff (No. 3) in straight sets in the quarterfinals to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal and secures her spot into the top-10 after 27 months. However, facing Sabalenka under these circumstances may be her toughest challenge.
Swiatek vs Keys
Followed by:
If anyone had doubts about Iga Swiatek before the start of the tournament, the Pole has responded with incredible performances in Melbourne. She has dropped just 14 games across her five matches, averaging fewer than three games per match. Even more impressive, she has only conceded seven games in her last four matches and hasn’t been broken since the first round.
After defeating Emma Navarro in a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory, she appears to be the favourite to reach her first Australian Open final. Standing in her way is another American: 19th seed Madison Keys, who is in an incredible state of inspiration, riding a 10-match winning streak in 2025.
The 29-year-old has shown her class by defeating strong opponents such as Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the women’s semifinals, Keys nonetheless has vast experience in the latter stages of Grand Slams, marking the seventh time in her career she has reached the final four.
They have faced each other five times, with the Polish five-time Grand Slam champion winning four of those encounters (three on clay courts). However, their last hard-court meeting – back at the 2022 Cincinnati Open – saw Keys prevail in straight sets.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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