Keys Upsets Swiatek in Australian Open Thriller, Set Up Final with Sabalenka/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Madison Keys staged a stunning comeback to upset Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open semifinals, winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8). Keys, who saved a match point, will face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, seeking a historic threepeat, in Saturday’s final. Sabalenka defeated Paula Badosa earlier in the day, setting the stage for an epic showdown.
Australian Open Semifinals Quick Looks
- Madison Keys’ Triumph: Keys defeated Swiatek in a dramatic three-set thriller, saving a match point.
- Sabalenka’s Domination: Aryna Sabalenka powered past Paula Badosa in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
- Historic Stakes: Sabalenka aims to become the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
- Keys’ Form: Keys extended her winning streak to 11 matches, boosted by a new racket and confidence.
- Swiatek’s Struggles: Despite a dominant run in Melbourne, Swiatek was broken eight times by Keys.
Keys Upsets Swiatek in Australian Open, Set Up Final with Sabalenka
Deep Look
Madison Keys pulled off a jaw-dropping upset on Thursday night, defeating World No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open semifinals. In a match filled with twists, momentum shifts, and high-pressure moments, Keys triumphed 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8), saving a match point along the way. The 29-year-old American, now in her second career Grand Slam final after an eight-year gap, will face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
Keys’ Dramatic Comeback
Keys entered the match as the underdog, facing a Swiatek who had been dominant throughout the tournament, dropping only 14 games in her previous five matches. However, Keys disrupted Swiatek’s rhythm early, breaking the Polish star’s serve three times in the first set alone. While Swiatek eked out the opening set, Keys rebounded with force in the second, delivering powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play to take it 6-1.
The third set was a rollercoaster, culminating in a first-to-10, win-by-two tiebreaker. Swiatek held a match point at 6-5 in the final set but faltered, sending a backhand into the net. Keys capitalized, breaking Swiatek’s serve and sealing the match in dramatic fashion.
“I’m still trying to process everything,” Keys said. “At the end, it was just about who could hold their nerve, and I’m happy it was me.”
This win marks Keys’ 11th consecutive victory, including her title win at a warm-up event in Adelaide. Her new racket, suggested by her coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, has seemingly paid dividends, helping her generate effortless power while alleviating strain on her shoulder.
Sabalenka’s Dominance
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka dispatched Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 to secure her spot in the final. The 26-year-old Belarusian, a two-time defending champion, now has a chance to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-1999) to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
Sabalenka’s match started shakily as she trailed 2-0, 40-love, but she quickly found her groove after the retractable roof was closed due to light rain. With her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, Sabalenka overwhelmed Badosa, who had eliminated No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
“She started to be very, very aggressive,” Badosa said of Sabalenka. “Everything was working.”
Sabalenka’s performance was clinical, continuing a stretch of dominance that includes her 2023 U.S. Open title. “I have goosebumps,” Sabalenka said post-match. “I’m so proud of myself.”
The Road to the Final
Both finalists bring contrasting narratives to Saturday’s showdown. Sabalenka, with three major titles under her belt, is chasing history and cementing her status as the world’s best player. Keys, on the other hand, is seeking redemption after losing her only previous Grand Slam final at the 2017 U.S. Open.
Keys acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead, stating, “If she [Sabalenka] plays like this, she’s going to be really tough. But I’ll go out there and give everything I’ve got.”
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head record against Keys but knows her opponent is in formidable form. With her all-court game firing on all cylinders, Keys has the tools to make this final a thrilling contest.
Swiatek’s Rare Off Day
Swiatek, a favorite to win the tournament, struggled with inconsistency against Keys, losing eight service games—a stark contrast to her flawless serving performances earlier in the tournament. Despite a valiant effort, Swiatek was unable to regain control after Keys surged ahead in the second set.
“Madison was just better today,” Swiatek admitted. “Sometimes you have to accept that.”
What’s Next?
The final on Saturday will feature two of the most in-form players on the women’s tour. For Sabalenka, the stakes are historic: a third consecutive Australian Open title would place her alongside legends like Martina Hingis and Serena Williams. For Keys, it’s a chance to fulfill the promise she first showed in 2017 and claim her maiden Grand Slam title.
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