Djokovic up for Zverev challenge

American rallies from a set down to reach her first final at the Australian Open; Sabalenka goes past best friend Badosa

- Agencies

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made sluggish starts on Thursday but sealed contrasting victories to set up an Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's heavy hitters against each other.

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka overwhelmed her best friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in an impressive display of raw power to storm into her third straight title clash at the year's opening Grand Slam, where she will bid for her fourth major title.

American Keys rallied from a set down to stun Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) in a thriller and reach her first final at the Australian Open and second at the majors after her run to the 2017 U.S. Open title clash where she lost to Sloane Stephens.