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Sabalenka to take Badosa shopping after Melbourne rout - and pay / Photo: Adrian Dennis - AFP
Sabalenka to take Badosa shopping after Melbourne rout - and pay
Aryna Sabalenka said she planned to take good friend Paula Badosa shopping as consolation for beating her in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday -- and pay for whatever she wanted.
The offer came after the Belarusian world number one powered past the Spaniard 6-4, 6-2 to stay on track for a third consecutive title at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka, 26, described Badosa, 27, last year as her "best friend" and "soulmate" and while there was no love lost on court, she hoped they could quickly put the match behind them.
"I hope she's still my friend. I'm sure she'll hate me for the next hour, day or two, but I'm okay with that, I can handle that," Sabalenka said.
"After that I think we are back to being friends, back to go out together and go shopping. I promise, Paula, we go shopping and I pay for whatever you want."
Badosa said she would be eyeing something expensive.
"It's going to be something really expensive because now I think she doubled the prize money," she said.
"So I think she won't have a problem for that. I will think about it (what she wants)."
X.Baker--SMC
