Aryna Sabalenka’s horror meltdown after Aus Open defeat to Madison Keys

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka blew a gasket shortly after the 2025 Australian Open crown slipped out of her grasp against Madison Keys.

American underdog Madison Keys has produced the performance of her life to knock off two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 7-5 in an all-time classic.

Keys burst out of the blocks to take the first set and stun the world No. 1 before the Belarusian bounced back to grab the second.

In a thrilling finale, 29-year-old Keys secured the only break of serve in the 12th game of the third set to celebrate a momentous victory in two hours and two minutes on court.

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Sabalenka was on the brink of making Australian Open history with a third straight triumph on Rod Laver Arena, but it wasn’t to be as the American 19th seed saluted and captured her maiden grand slam crown.

It was her 47th grand slam singles tournament, having made her debut way back at the 2011 US Open as a teenager.

The day started with the year’s opening grand slam still buzzing from Novak Djokovic’s sudden, dramatic withdrawal from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday.

The Serbian, a 10-time winner of this event, was forced to pull out after dropping the first set, having torn a muscle in his leg.

Zverev will now face world No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s men’s final after the Italian proved far too strong for Ben Shelton, despite appearing to carry his own fitness concerns.

But all of that can wait as the tennis world toasts an unexpected and popular victory from Keys, who is tipped to rise to seventh in the world rankings.

Catch up on one of the great women’s finals with our live updates below.