Madison Keys Stuns Sabalenka for 1st Grand Slam Title at Australian Open

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Madison Keys Stuns Sabalenka for 1st Grand Slam Title at Australian Open/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTOn/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Madison Keys claimed her first Grand Slam title Saturday, defeating two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final. Keys, 29, overcame nerves, a powerful opponent, and her history of missed opportunities to achieve her lifelong dream, making history as the oldest first-time women’s Slam winner since 2015.

Madison Keys, center, of the U.S. reacts as she receives the the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from Evonne Goolagong Cawley after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Keys’ Historic Australian Open Win: Quick Looks

First Grand Slam Title: Keys defeated No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller.
Historic Feat: Becomes the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion since 2015.
Biggest Upsets: Beat the top two seeds, Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, en route to the title.
Sabalenka Falls Short: Denied her third consecutive Australian Open title.
Personal Triumph: Keys credited her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, for the breakthrough.

Side Headlines:

“Madison Keys Makes History, Wins Maiden Slam at Age 29”
“Sabalenka’s Streak Ends as Keys Shines in Melbourne”
“First-Time Champion: Keys Rises to the Moment in Australian Open Final”
“Emotional Victory: Keys Outlasts Sabalenka in Three-Set Classic”

Madison Keys Stuns Sabalenka for 1st Grand Slam Title at Australian Open

Deep Look

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Madison Keys fulfilled a lifelong dream Saturday night, winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a tense 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 final. At 29, Keys becomes the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion since Flavia Pennetta’s U.S. Open victory in 2015.

The Match: A Rollercoaster Battle

Under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, Keys and Sabalenka engaged in a battle of power and precision that lasted 2 1/2 hours. Keys started strong, breaking Sabalenka three times in the opening set while limiting her unforced errors. Her aggression, backed by 11 winners to Sabalenka’s four, set the tone.

“I have wanted this for so long,” Keys said. “I didn’t know if I would ever get back to this position.”

Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park, struggled early, committing 13 unforced errors and displaying visible frustration. However, she regrouped in the second set, finding her rhythm and increasing her winner tally to 13.

The deciding set was a nail-biter, with neither player earning a break point until the final game. Keys ultimately sealed the match with a forehand winner, edging out Sabalenka by a single point (92-91) over the course of the match.

Keys’ Path to Glory

Keys’ road to the title was anything but easy. In the semifinals, she saved a match point against No. 2 Iga Swiatek, becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat the top two seeds at the Australian Open.

Her victory over Sabalenka denied the Belarusian a chance to win her third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat last achieved by Martina Hingis (1997-1999).

An Emotional Journey

The victory was particularly sweet for Keys, who lost her only previous Grand Slam final at the 2017 U.S. Open in straight sets. This time, she was determined to handle the nerves and pressure better, crediting her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, for helping her make key adjustments.

Switching to a new racket ahead of the season, Keys sought to protect her oft-injured shoulder while maintaining control of her immense power. The move paid off, as her precise shot placement kept Sabalenka on the defensive throughout the match.

Sabalenka’s Perspective

For Sabalenka, the loss was a bitter disappointment. After the match, she briefly left the court to collect herself before the post-match ceremony.

“It just wasn’t my day,” Sabalenka said. “Madison played amazing. She deserved it. Enjoy this moment, Madison.”

Keys’ Historic Achievement

With this win, Keys became the third player to take more than 45 Grand Slam appearances to win her first title, joining Flavia Pennetta and Marion Bartoli. The achievement is a testament to her perseverance and growth as a player.

“I didn’t think this day would ever come,” Keys admitted. “But I kept working, and here I am.”

What’s Next?

Keys’ breakthrough in Melbourne could mark the beginning of a new chapter in her career. With her first Slam title now in hand, she has proven she can compete and succeed at the highest level.

As she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, the weight of her journey was evident in her radiant smile. “This is everything I’ve dreamed of,” she said.