Saved match point, double fault and a match tie-breaker: Keys wins thriller, will face Sabalenka in final

American Madison Keys stands between Aryna Sabalenka and a historic third consecutive Australian Open title after upsetting Iga Swiatek in a dramatic, three-set nail-biter.

Swiatek served for a final spot in the 12th game of the third set – and had a match point – before Keys triumphed 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the most thrilling contest of the tournament to date.

Madison Keys celebrates winning through to the final.Credit: Eddie Jim

Keys, who turns 30 next month, never led in the match tie-breaker until the second-last point, but one last Swiatek miss sealed victory for the No.19 seed.

It will be Keys’ second career grand slam final – behind the 2017 US Open, which she lost to Sloane Stephens – and first at Melbourne Park, a reward for her fearless ball-striking, which delivered 36 winners to Swiatek’s 22.

“I think I’m still trying to come down and figure out where I am. But I’m really proud of myself for being able to stay in that,” Keys said.

“Obviously, being up in the third [set], and feeling like I was so close to the finish line, losing my serve, and then being able to stay as close as I could in that tie-breaker until the end – I’m just really proud of myself for that match.

“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.”

Swiatek’s defeat means Sabalenka, who beat her best friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 to book her berth in the final, will remain as world No.1. Swiatek will have to wait at least one more year to claim her maiden Australian Open title.

The five-time major champion had been in devastating form, conceding only seven games in her previous four wins.

Asked how much it hurt to miss out on her first final in Melbourne after having a match point, as well as the chance to return to No.1, Swiatek said: “You have to experience that to know”.

“I felt like I had my chance. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Maybe, I’ll have more chances,” Swiatek said.

“I think I’m pretty spoiled, in a way, that I could always use these chances. When I had an opportunity to win, I always kind of win [usually].

“Obviously, it’s disappointing when it doesn’t happen, but this is sport, so it’s not always going to go my way. Madison also really did the work as she should. She totally deserves to be in the final.”

There was some controversy entering the final set.

Swiatek, who has a history of questionable delaying tactics at key moments in matches, took a lengthy toilet break after losing the second set, prompting Keys to tap her wrist towards the chair umpire.

Madison Keys questions the time Iga Swiatek is taking between sets.Credit: Nine

“I was just asking how much time she had left because it wasn’t up on the board,” Keys said.

“I think the rules are fine. The clock ran out on my change, but not hers, so I was just asking.”

Keys responded with an ace to start the set, then a strong service hold to begin what became a wild ride.

At the two-hour mark, the players were locked at four-all after Swiatek dodged a pair of break points.

Keys rallied from 0-40 in the next game to hold serve – roaring afterwards towards her coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo – but was not so fortunate two games later.

The American’s power game got her to that point, but an ill-advised drop shot gave Swiatek an easy put-away forehand to break serve.

Swiatek soon brought up match point, but Keys continued to swing hard to fight back from the brink of defeat, only for the Pole to double fault off the net to send the set to a roller-coaster match tie-breaker.

“I think at the end, I feel like we were battling some nerves, really just pushing each other,” Keys said.

“It just became who can get that final point and who can kind of just be a little bit better than the other one – and I’m happy it was me.”

Sabalenka feels at ‘home’ in Melbourne

Earlier, Belarusian powerhouse Sabalenka breezed past her best friend Badosa to reach another Australian Open final.

After falling 2-0 and 0-40 behind, Sabalenka bludgeoned her way to a straight-sets victory over Badosa on the back of an extraordinary 32 winners.

Now, the world No.1 is one win away from making history, as she bids to win a third consecutive women’s singles title in Melbourne. It would be the first time anyone has achieved that feat since Martina Hingis from 1997-99.

The only other women to win three straight Australian Open women’s singles titles are Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990) and Monica Seles (1991-1993).

Aryna Sabalenka acknowledges the crowd after her semi-final win.Credit: Eddie Jim

“I have goosebumps [thinking about it]. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my team – [that we were] able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said.

“It’s a privilege. If I’m able to put my name into history, it will mean a lot. It will mean the world to me. It’s been a dream. I mean, I couldn’t even dream about that, to be honest.

“First, I was dreaming to win at least one grand slam. Now, I have this opportunity. It’s incredible. I’m going to go out and leave everything I have, in the final.”

Sabalenka was a runaway train once she forced her way back on top, and the end was nigh once Badosa sent down consecutive double faults to hand over the break in the third game of the second set.

“I just feel like home [in Melbourne],” Sabalenka said.

“Last year, I thought, ‘OK, I feel like home, I feel so good here, I feel all the support’. This year, I feel even more. I feel like I’m coming home to my home slam.

“I know everything, I know every area, I know where to warm up, so it’s not that crowded. I go [on court], and I feel like people are screaming my name. I have goosebumps every time they scream … it’s incredible to feel that support here.”

It was a tough night for Spaniard Badosa, who also took a tumble early in the second set and fell face-first into the court before offering a thumbs up to Sabalenka.

Their strong friendship was evidenced when she shared a laugh in the locker room 15 minutes after the match.

“I think after a couple of battles against each other, we spoke and we decided to put it aside,” Sabalenka said.

“She wants it badly. We both want it badly. It’s our dream. Here, we [are] opponents. No matter [what happens] on the court, we’ll be friends after our matches.

“It’s tough to do [but] we agreed on that. I think we’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend. I mean, I’m sure she [will] hate me for the next hour, or day or two. I can handle that.

“After that, I think we’re back to being friends. Back to going out together, shopping.”

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