IN A year where many thought it would be the top two seeds making it through to the Women’s Singles Final at the Australian Open, that is certainly not what has happened as Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys were the ones to emerge victorious out of the Semi Finals.

In the earlier of yesterday’s semi finals, world number one Sabalenka did her part to ensure the expectation would eventuate, comfortably beating good friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in about an hour and a half.

Badosa’s serving is what really brought the Spaniard undone, as she served four double faults and finished with a first serve in percentage of just 53 per cent. By comparison Sabalenka served only one double fault and finished with a first serve in percentage of 63 per cent.

If Sabalenka goes on to win hr third consecutive title tomorrow night she will be first women’s singles player to achieve the feat since Martina Hingis in 1999.

“If I’ll be able to put my name in the history…it’s going to mean the world for me,” Sabalenka said.

“It’s been a dream, I couldn’t even dream about that to be honest, at first I was dreaming to win at least one Grand Slam [but] now I have this opportunity, it’s incredible and I’m going to go out and leave everything I have [on court] in the final.” 

In the other semi final, 19th seed Keys upset the status quo and sent world number two Iga Swiatek home after a three set battle.

In a match lasting just over two and a half hours, the American ultimately prevailed 5-7, 6-1, 7-6.

Keys served a whopping seven aces past Swiatek, who was unable to respond with any of her own. Swiatek also served a whopping seven double faults, while Keys only served four. Keys also did much better when it came to winners (36 to 22) and winning break points (50 per cent to 38 per cent).

“I felt like I had a bit of momentum at the end of the first set, then ran through the second and the third set was so up and down, so many big chances we didn’t take and she had a match point,” Keys said, reflecting on the match.

“I feel like I blacked out at some point and was just running around.

“I think at the end we were both battling some nerves and just pushing each other, it just became who can get that final point, who can be that little bit better than the other one. I’m happy it was me.”