Aryna Sabalenka cut a frustrated figure during the Australian Open final as she lost in three sets to Madison Keys, before breaking down into tears and leaving the court

Sabalenka smashed her racket on the bench after Madison Keys prevented her from completing an Australian Open three-peat.

Steffi Graf (1988-90) and Monica Seles (1991-93) have also achieved the feat, but Sabalenka was quick not to overlook her upcoming clash with Badosa

Aryna Sabalenka has revealed she smashed her racquet in frustraion after losing the Australian Open final because she had been “so close close to achieving something crazy”. The world No.1 had been the red-hot favourite to join the greats in tennis history by completing a hat-tricks of title wins here.

Madison Keys wrote three short words on the camera lens after her victory against Iga Świątek at the Australian Open: “Oh my god.”

Her racquet smash and swift exit took the focus off the new champion, but she says there was a good reason for it all.

A tennis great has ripped into Aryna Sabalenka for taking some of the ... The only others to have achieved the feat are Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf ...

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka greeted each other before the Serb graced the Rod Laver Arena for his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from a hat-trick of Australian Open titles after seeing off best friend Paula Badosa to reach a third straight final.

Aryna Sabalenka battled through "unbelievable" windy conditions Tuesday to reach the Melbourne semi-finals and keep her dream of an Australian Open hat-trick alive.

An Aussie will be playing a key role crunching the numbers for world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as she bids for a place in Australian Open history on Saturday.

Sabalenka plays Spain’s 11th seed Paula Badosa, while Swiatek will face Madison Keys. Read more at straitstimes.com.