Unstoppable Sabalenka playing 'PlayStation tennis' says Badosa / Photo: Adrian Dennis - AFP
Unstoppable Sabalenka playing 'PlayStation tennis' says Badosa
Paula Badosa said Aryna Sabalenka's performance in beating her in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday was so good it was "like she's playing a PlayStation".
Belarusian world number one Sabalenka dismantled her close friend from Spain 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka is just one win away from a third Melbourne crown in a row and Badosa said that on the evidence of their match, there was no stopping her.
"Everything she was doing today, touching today, could become gold. I have nothing to say," said the 11th-seeded Badosa.
"Of course credit to her, congratulations to her. She played the best match not even of the week -- from the last months, for sure.
"If she plays like this, I mean, we can already give her the trophy."
Badosa said she felt pretty much powerless in the face of the red-hot Sabalenka and her relentless game, and said it showed why she is the top-ranked women's player.
"Sometimes you're like, I don't know, I'm just walking around the court because I feel like she's playing a PlayStation.
"Today she was like that. So sometimes I'm like, what's happening? I don't have time even to think."
Badosa, 27, a former world number two who nearly quit tennis last year because of a back injury, was overall pleased with her efforts in reaching a maiden Grand Slam semi-final.
The two enjoyed some warm words afterwards.
"I was expecting of course, a good level, but maybe not that much," Badosa said of the 26-year-old's ruthless display.
"She came to say that she played three semi-finals before she won a title and that she was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I've been through."
R.Baker--MC-UK
