The two close friends went head-to-head in a semi-final clash at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa embrace after their clash. (Image: Getty)

Paula Badosa joked that rival Aryna Sabalenka could now buy her “something really expensive” after being offered a shopping trip by her opponent following their Australian Open semi-final.

Playing in her first Grand Slam final four clash, the Spaniard was no match for the defending champion, going down 6-4 6-2.

The two players are known to be close friends, and there was a warm embrace at the net after Sabalenka secured a third straight final appearance at Melbourne Park.

Speaking on-court after her win, the Belarusian told Jelena Dokic: “I hope she’s still my friend. I’m sure she hates me for the next hours and day.

“It’s okay I can handle that. After that I think we’ll be back as friends, back going out together, shopping…I promise Paula we’ll go shopping and I’ll pay for whatever she wants.”

Adding that she hopes the 27-year-old will remain down under to watch her final, she added: “I hope she’ll still be here and we can go shop. But I’ll put a limit for her because she can go crazy.”

In her post-match press conference, Badosa was asked if she was aware of the gesture, and if so what would she be demanding as a gift. “Something really expensive then,” she said, while smiling.

Badosa struggled to assert herself against Sabalenka. (Image: Getty)

“It’s going to be something really expensive because now I think she doubled the prize money. So I think she won’t have a problem for that. I will think about it.”

Amid an increased prize fund at the tournament this year, Sabalenka is now guaranteed a minimum sum of £955,000 for making the final, where she’ll face either Madison Keys or Iga Swiatek.

The 26-year-old will increase that total to £1.76million if she captures a third straight title on Saturday at the Rod Laver Arena. Badosa meanwhile, will take home £553,000.

Despite her loss, Badosa declared herself pleased with her campaign after nearly quitting the sport last year due to a persistent back problem. And after their match, Sabalenka had also praised her successful return to the WTA circuit.

“She came to say that she played three semi-finals before she won a title,” she said. “She was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I’ve been through. If I have to lose against somebody, of course I want to lose against the world No. 1 and against Aryna.”