Sabalenka qualifies for the Australian Open final and remains world no. 1

Aryna Sabalenka qualified for the Australian Open final on Thursday against Paula Badosa. Her position as world number 1 was under threat.

There were several possible scenarios that could have resulted in her losing the top spot: a defeat to Badosa in the semi-finals, or a loss to Iga Swiatek in the final.

Fortunately for her, Sabalenka qualified brilliantly for the final and Swiatek was eliminated in the process.

The Pole has therefore missed her chance in Melbourne, a tournament where she has never progressed beyond the semi-finals, and will have to be patient if she is to regain her number 1 ranking.