New Delhi: A spirited Madison Keys dug deep into her reservoire of energey and determination to overcome Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the semi-finals to confirm an Australian Open title clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
It will be the 19th seed Keys’ second appearance in a Grand Slam final while top seed Sabalenka will bid to be the first woman to win the Australian Open three consecutive times since Martina Hingis (1997 to 1999).
Earlier On Thursday, Sabalenka defeated Paola Badosa 6-4,6-2 to enter her third successive final at Melbourne Park.
American Keys saved a match point to shock No.2 seed Iga Swiatek to advance to her second Grand Slam final final after the 2017 US Open.
Swiatek had won four of their five previous meetings with Keys, winning all of them ins traight sets and served for a victory at 6-5 in the deciding third set.
But the Pole sent her backhand into the net to miss that opportunity, allowing Keys to rally back despite trailing in the super-tiebreaker. Keys was down 5-7 but served big when needed to, to claim the final three points and script a stunning win.
11-match winning streak
Keys has now won a career best 11 matches on the trot after claiming her ninth career WTA Tour title in Adelaide two weeks ago, surpassing her 2022 streak when she similarly won in Adelaide and then lost to Ashleigh Barty in the Australian Open semi-finals.
She would have to produce another massive performance to win int he final against top seed and World No.1 Sabalenka, who leads their head-to-head record 4-1 and is a two-time defending champion.
Sabalenka has won all four of their hard-court meetings and both their clashes in Grand Slams, with Keys’ only victory was in the second round of Berlin in 2021 on grass court.
Swiatek has now lost in both her Australian Open semifinals, going down to another American Danielle Collins in 2022.
Madison Keys beats Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the semi-finals to confirm an Australian Open title clash with Aryna Sabalenka. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
