Keys Sets Up Australian Open Final Showdown with Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka is one step away from making history at the Australian Open, with Madison Keys waiting in the final after her thrilling semi-final win over Iga Swiatek.

Madison Keys, the 29-year-old American 19th seed, staged a remarkable comeback to stun world number two Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) in a thrilling Australian Open semi-final on Thursday. Keys' victory set up a final showdown with two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who had earlier defeated Paula Badosa in straight sets. “That match was just such a high level and she played so well,” Keys said of her battle against Swiatek. “I felt like I was just fighting to stay in it and then obviously really kind of ran with the second and then the third was just a battle.”

Keys' win was a testament to her determination and resilience, as she saved a match point and broke Swiatek's serve eight times throughout the match. The American's victory marked her first Australian Open final appearance. “To be able to be standing here and be in the finals is absolutely amazing and I'm so excited that I get to be here on Saturday,” Keys exclaimed. The match was a marathon battle that lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes, with the final set decided by a 10-point tiebreak.

Keys admitted that she couldn't recall much detail about the final set, where she saved a match point. “In the third set, it was just so up and down. I feel like I blacked out at some point,” Keys smiled. “Just to be able to stay in it and just keep fighting and then a 10-point tiebreaker for a dramatic finish.” The match was the first Australian Open semi-final to be decided by a third-set 10-point tiebreak, adding to the drama and excitement of the contest.

Aryna Sabalenka put aside her close friendship with Paula Badosa to stay on track for a historic third consecutive Australian Open title. The Belarusian world number one defeated 11th seed Badosa 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. In contrast, the second semi-final between Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek was a thrilling rollercoaster ride. Keys broke Swiatek in the opening game, marking the first time the Pole had dropped her serve since the first round.

The first set was a closely contested affair, with both players struggling for control. Three breaks each were exchanged before Swiatek finally edged it on her second set point after 49 minutes. However, the world number two was far from convincing, and Keys surged back in sizzling fashion in the second set. Keys broke Swiatek four times, unleashing three huge aces in one game, as she took it to a deciding third set. “Definitely some big hitting. I think that is going to happen,” Keys predicted, looking ahead to her final against Sabalenka. “Not a lot of long points but she is obviously going for her third Aussie Open and I'm excited to get to play here.”

Sabalenka is closing in on a historic third consecutive Melbourne crown, a feat that hasn't been achieved this century. The last person to achieve the feat was Martina Hingis in 1999, and only four other women have completed the three-peat - Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles. Keys, who saved a match point before finally getting over the line against Swiatek, is excited to face Sabalenka in the final.