Australian Open women’s singles final: Madison Keys wins first grand slam title

In a stunning upset, Madison Keys has won her first ever grand slam after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. JULIAN LINDEN writes, it’s the feel-good story tennis needed after Ash Barty’s retirement.

Women’s tennis has a bright new shiny star ready to light up the game after one of the wildest Australian Open finals in years.

Against the odds, American Madison Keys stunned Aryna Sabalenka to win the women’s singles title at Melbourne Park after a pulsating match that went right down to the wire.

The two-time defending champion, Sabalenka was considered a dead-cert to make it three on the trot but she was outgunned by an inspired Keys, who took the match 6-3 2-6 7-5 at a packed Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.

Madison Keys with the trophy. Picture: Getty Images

Sabalenka went into meltdown after the match, smashing her racket then departing the centre court before composing herself and returning for the trophy presentation, congratulating Keys

“It’s OK, I hope I see you next year!” Sabalenka said as she looked directly at the winners’ trophy.

“First of all, Madison, wow. What a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy, you have been playing unbelievable tennis, you crashed it tonight. Congrats to you and your team, really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the fun part.”

Up against one of the few women who can match her incredible power, the Belarusian had fought back courageously to force a deciding third set only to come up short.

Denied her chance to become just the eighth woman to complete a hat-trick of Australian Open titles, Sabalenka lost few admirers in her defeat but Keys is the feel-good story women’s tennis has been crying out for since Ash Barty retired three years ago.

A child prodigy who was tipped for greatness but never quite got there, Keys finally won her first grand slam singles title at the ripe old age of 29, receiving the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from Evonne Goolangong.

Proof that sometimes the best things in life come to those who struggle through thick and thin, she joined Jennifer Capriati and Caroline Wozniacki by winning their first major in Australia after most had given up on them, convinced their best days were over.

Keys produced a stunning upset. Picture: AFP

Only three women have won their first grand slam at an older age than Keys since the sport went professional in 1968; Flavia Pennetta (33), Ann Jones (30) and Francesca Schiavone (29), but none were as joyful as Keys.

“I made my very first grand slam semi-final here in Melbourne, so to have won my first grand slam in the same place means the absolute world to me,” Keys said.

“I’ve been in one other grand slam final and it didn’t go my way, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get back into this position to win a trophy again.

“My team believed in me every step of the way. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and helped me every step of the way.

“I love you all so much and I cannot wait for more. I just want to say thank you so much. I’m so appreciative towards every single person who helped me continue to believe in myself and push on to achieve this dream.”

Better late than never, the American made her first grand slam semi at Melbourne Park in 2015 when she was just a teenager, losing to Serena Williams.

She made the final of the US Open two years later, going down to Sloane Stephens, but never really kicked on despite going making another four grand slam semis.

Recently married to her coach Bjorn Fratangelo, Keys arrived in Australia with only slim hopes of success, ranked just inside the top 20, but went on a magical carpet ride all the way to the title.

Keys celebrates winning her first grand slam. Picture: Getty Images

This was no fluke because she earned her victory the hard way, beating four players ranked in the top 10, including Sabalenka, the world No. 1.

In her semi-final, Keys beat the world No. 2, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, after saving a match point, displaying nerves of steel and the benefits from her long experiences in the game.

Grand slam finals are as much a battle of the mind because of the high stakes involved and Keys won that battle.

Despite being a two-time Australian Open and one-time US Open champion, Sabalenka was a bundle of nerves from the outset, serving up a double fault on the very point of the match.

Sabalenka couldn’t get the job done. Picture: Martin Keep/ AFP

She made another double in dropping her opening game then another in dropping the fifth game. She conceded the opening set with a third service break, which again came after double fault.

Keys was red hot in the first set, serving strongly and hitting thunderous returns, but while she couldn’t maintain her level in the second, which Sabalenka won, she held strong to win the decider and with it her first grand slam.

Sabalenka joked that her coaching team were to blame for her loss.

“Should I say anything to my team? Why are you laughing? As always that’s your fault guys!” she said.

“I don’t want to see you for the next week - I really hate you! Thank you so much for everything and blah, blah blah.

“I think we did our best, just Madison was doing incredible and I couldn’t do anything in this match. Next time I play Madison I will bring better tennis. Of course, sending love to my team. I love you even though we lost.”