Madison Keys fought her way back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a thriller and set up an Australian Open women’s singles final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The 19th seed battled through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world No.2 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 after Sabalenka swept aside Paula Badosa in straight sets earlier in the day.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek had not dropped her serve since the first round but was broken eight times by Keys, who saved a match point on her way to edging a titanic battle.
It will be the American’s first final in Melbourne, only her second in Grand Slams, and she broke down in tears after finally getting over the line in two hours 35 minutes.
It was the first time an Australian Open semi-final had been decided by a third-set 10-point tiebreak.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Sabalenka played her best match of the year to defeat best friend Badosa 6-4, 6-2 to reach a third consecutive Melbourne final.
Sabalenka is unbeaten in 11 matches in 2025 and has now put together a remarkable run of 20 consecutive Australian Open wins and 13 consecutive Grand Slam victories.
She is the first player to reach three straight Australian Open finals since Serena Williams and the youngest to do so since Martina Hingis.
