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

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.Credit: 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.

It could be a sight to behold.

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her semi-final win.Credit: Eddie Jim

We have a brilliant day and night of men’s semi-finals tomorrow along with the All-Aussie mixed doubles final at midday.

We will have our live blog up and running yet again so please join us then.

Bye for now.

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.Credit: 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.”

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.Credit: Eddie Jim

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.”

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.

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.

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

Who will win this match?

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.

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.Credit: AP

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.