MELBOURNE - Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are clear favourites to win their respective semi-finals on Thursday and set up a blockbuster Australian Open title decider.
First up will be the world number one and defending champion Sabalenka against Spain's 11th seed Paula Badosa, followed on to the centre court by five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek against Madison Keys.
Sabalenka can become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the Australian Open three years in a row.
If she does, she will join a select group of five women who have completed the Melbourne three-peat. The others are Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
"I'm really happy that I put myself in this situation where I have the opportunity to become one of them," said the 26-year-old Belarusian.
"To be next to those names, wow, that's just a dream."
Badosa stunned world number three Coco Gauff in straight sets to reach her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the age of 27.
"She's a great player and she has been through a lot. Now she's back on her best game. I'm really happy to see that," said Sabalenka.
Poland's Swiatek has been the dominant force in the women's draw so far, matching her previous best Australian Open run from 2022, when she lost to Danielle Collins in the last four.
The world number two has dropped only 14 games so far in her five matches -- seven of those in her first-round clash.
She has exuded an air of calmness and confidence as she aims not only to win a maiden Australian Open title but also retake the number one ranking from Sabalenka.
If the Belarusian fails to make the final, Swiatek will again rise to the top.
Should Swiatek and Sabalenka meet in the final, the winner would leave Australia with the number one ranking.
Swiatek must first get past 19th seed Keys.