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SportTennisAustralian Open

This was published 1 year ago

Australian Open 2025 as it happened: Keys wins thriller over Swiatek to reach Australian Open final; Sabalenka chases title three-peat

Scott Spits, Melissa Coulter Ryan and Roy Ward
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Keys wins it
Watch: Even the umpire sings along
‘I will leave everything out there’: Sabalenka chasing history
Just too good from Sabalenka
‘Goosebumps’: Sabalenka on a three-peat
Sabalenka is into the final
Watch: Badosa’s comic response to tumble
Sabalenka gets double break
Sabalenka wins first set
Tyra Banks in the crowd

The final we deserve

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Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a third-straight Australian Open title while No.19 seed Madison Keys has made an improbable rise to her second ever grand slam final.

One is chasing history, the other chasing what seemed impossible not all that long ago.

Madison Keys celebrates making the Australian Open final.Getty Images

Tonight’s semi-finals gave us some brilliant tennis.

Sabalenka beat dear friend Paula Badosa comfortably and will serve as a big favourite on Saturday night but Keys is no shrinking violet and she will swing hard and go blow for blow with her powerful opponent.

Watch: Keys, Swiatek highlights

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‘Definitely big hitting’: Keys predicts finals shootout.

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Keys wanted to stay in the moment and enjoy making her second grand slam final but she did take a moment to reflect on how Saturday’s final against Aryna Sabalenka could turn out.

Madison Keys.Eddie Jim

“Definitely some big hitting. I think that is going to happen,” Keys said with a smile.

“Not a lot of long points but she is obviously going for her third Aussie Open and I’m excited to get to play here. And I’m really excited for the challenge and I don’t know, Saturday is very far away in my brain right now.”

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‘I blacked out a little’: Keys

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Keys joked she “blacked out a bit” in the final set as both players fluffed break chances and pulled off big shots.

“I feel like I blacked out at some point,” Keys said.

“Yeah, just to be able to stay in it and just keep fighting and then a 10-point tie-breaker for a dramatic finish.”

Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.Eddie Jim

‘I’m in the final’: Keys

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Keys was still stunned when she spoke to Casey Dellacqua.

When reminded she was in the final, all Keys could say was “yes” before trading a high-five with Dellacqua.

“Yeah. I mean, that match was just such high level and she played so well,” Keys said.

“I felt like I was just fighting to stay in it and then obviously really kind of ran with the second and then the third was just a battle. To be able to be standing here and be in the finals is absolutely amazing and I’m so excited that I get to be here on Saturday.”

Keys wins it

By Roy Ward and Marc McGowan

Madison Keys is into her second grand slam final after a three-set win over Iga Swiatek in their semi-final.

Keys will face Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open women’s final on Saturday night after her 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 win at Rod Laver Arena tonight.

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She won a stunning super tie-break serving some pivotal winners in the final points before collapsing to the ground when Swiatek hit it out on match-point.

Keys was hyped as a future world No.1 and Lindsay Davenport clone when she broke onto the tour, which never quite eventuated, but we are seeing what she is capable of tonight.

Still peaked inside the top 10, made the 2017 US Open final, has made the semi-finals at the Australian and French Opens, as well as the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

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It’s 8-8

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Keys brought out an ace at 7-8 down after a stunning volley from Swiatek the previous point.

Who will win this match?

Swiatek up 5-3

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Half-way through the super tie-break, Swiatek is up 5-3 but there still feels like there is nothing in this match.

Huge few points to come with Swiatek on serve.

Key thing about super tie-break

By Marc McGowan

A double fault off the net from Iga Swiatek delivers Keys the break back and sends the final set to a match tie-breaker.

First to 10 wins, with a two-point advantage. Incredible contest.

It’s 1-1 early in the tie-break.

Iga Swiatek of Poland walks past Madison Keys of the US during their semifinal match.AP
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Double fault sends Swiatek, Keys into tie-break

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Keys has broken back and we are going to a 10-point tie-break after Swiatek hit a double fault on break point.

The crowd groaned. We are going the full distance.

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