Melbourne:
Madison Keys came back from a set down to shock Iga Swiatek in a tough match on Thursday and set up a match in the Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The 19th seed qualified for the exciting semi-final in the final group tie-break against the world number two, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8), after Sabalenka defeated Paula Badosa in two straight sets.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, did not drop serve since the first round, but was broken eight times by Keys, who saved a match point on her way to overcoming a massive battle. It will be the American’s first final in Melbourne and only her second Grand Slam, and she broke down in tears after crossing the finish line in two hours and 35 minutes.
This was the first time an Australian Open semi-final was decided by a 10-point third set tiebreaker.
“That match was at a very high level and she played very well,” Keys, 29, said.
“I felt like I was fighting for my life and then obviously I ran with the second and then the third was just a battle.
“To be able to stand here and qualify for the finals is absolutely amazing and I’m very excited to be here on Saturday,” he added.
Keys admitted she couldn’t remember many details about the final set where she saved a match point.
Keys smiled, saying, “In the third set, it was volatile. I feel like I lost consciousness at some point.”
“Just so I can stay in that position and keep fighting and then go to a 10-point tiebreaker to have a dramatic finish.”
Earlier, Sabalenka put aside her close friendship with Badosa to stay on track for the first time in 26 years.
The Belarusian, ranked number one in the world, defeated Badosa, ranked 11th, at home, 6-4, 6-2, at Rod Laver Arena.
Keys expected a strong battle between two of the strongest ball strikers in the women’s match in Saturday’s final. “Definitely a big hit. I think it’s going to happen,” Keyes said.
“There weren’t a lot of long points but obviously it’s going to be her third Australian Open and I’m excited to be playing here.” Sabalenka is closing in on a third consecutive Melbourne title, something that has not happened this century.
The last person to achieve this feat was Martina Hingis in 1999 and only four other women have completed the triple peat – Margaret Court, Yvonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
The court was on the field watching.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Sabalenka said on the cusp of her third Melbourne Park tournament. “I’m very proud of myself. I’m proud of my team because we’re able to put ourselves in a situation like this.” address.
“It’s a privilege. If I can put my name in history, it would mean a lot. It would mean the world to me.”
Last year, Sabalenka described Badosa as her “best friend” and “soulmate” and said she was “very happy” that they played each other on such a big stage.
She added: “I hope she’ll still be my friend. I’m sure she’ll hate me in the next hour, day or two, but I’m okay with that, I can deal with that.”
Despite the loss, Badosa’s run to the semi-finals capped a remarkable comeback for the Spaniard after a severe back injury in 2023 made her consider retiring from tennis.
Instead, her exploits in Melbourne will return her to the top 10 for the first time since October 2022. Keys will also return to the top 10.