The complete player against the one-time teen prodigy

Aryna Sabalenka, who can write her name into the tennis record books with a third consecutive Australian Open title on Jan 25, has become the complete player.

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The 26-year-old Belarusian is a commanding presence on court, a far cry from the talented but mentally fragile player of her younger days.

A second Melbourne title in 2024, married with a first US Open crown, established her as the dominant force in the women's game.

She deposed five-time Slam champion Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings and consolidated it this week by reaching another Major final, the fifth of her career.

Already the first woman to mount a successful title defence at Melbourne Park since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013, she can etch her name among the greats by making it a hat-trick when she faces Madison Keys in the final.