Sabalenka smashed her racket on the bench after Madison Keys prevented her from completing an Australian Open three-peat.

Aryna Sabalenka cut a frustrated figure during the Australian Open final as she lost in three sets to Madison Keys, before breaking down into tears and leaving the court

Steffi Graf (1988-90) and Monica Seles (1991-93) have also achieved the feat, but Sabalenka was quick not to overlook her upcoming clash with Badosa

Aryna Sabalenka has revealed she smashed her racquet in frustraion after losing the Australian Open final because she had been “so close close to achieving something crazy”. The world No.1 had been the red-hot favourite to join the greats in tennis history by completing a hat-tricks of title wins here.

Madison Keys wrote three short words on the camera lens after her victory against Iga Świątek at the Australian Open: “Oh my god.”

Aryna Sabalenka will not let her friendship with Paula Badosa affect her quest to win a third successive Australian Open title when the best friends clash in the semi-finals, the defending champion said on Tuesday.

Sabalenka was aiming to become the sixth woman in the Open Era to win three straight Australian Open titles, after Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong (1974- 1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990), Monica Seles (1991-1993) and Martina Hingis (1997-1999).

Her racquet smash and swift exit took the focus off the new champion, but she says there was a good reason for it all.

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are clear favourites to win their ... she will join a select group of five women who have completed the Melbourne three-peat. The others are Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka greeted each other before the Serb graced the Rod Laver Arena for his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev.

As the most powerful hitter in women’s tennis, it’s no surprise that Aryna Sabalenka is starting to earn comparisons with Serena Williams.

MELBOURNE - Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are clear favourites to win ... she will join a select group of five women who have completed the Melbourne three-peat. The others are Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.