Australian Open: Madison Keys upsets Iga Swiatek, sets up final against Sabalenka

The 19th-seeded Madison Keys and second-seed Iga Swiatek staged a tussle worthy of a semi-final clash at the Rod Laver Arena. The Polish star entered the arena as the favorite to secure the final spot against Aryna Sabalenka. However, the American crafted a game so intense that Swiatek couldn't untangle the equation by the end of it. The players stepped onto the Rod Laver Arena after Aryna Sabalenka had booked her entry into her third consecutive Australian Open final. The first semi-final of the day, between Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, was far less intense. However, Swiatek and Keys brought the thrill to the stage as their high-stakes match went down to the wire. After losing a tight opening set, Keys held her nerves to close out the contest 5-7, 6-1, 7-6.

Madison Keys wins a thriller against Iga Swiatek to lock in final against Aryna Sabalenka

Madison Keys fought hard for her spot in the second Grand Slam final of her career, following the 2017 US Open final. The 19th-seeded American upset Top 10 seed Elena Rybakina to move past the fourth round and into the quarter-final. In the final-eight stage, Keys overcame Ukrainian seed Elina Svitolina to set up a semi-final clash against Iga Swiatek. Coming into the match, every aspect projected Swiatek as the favourite, with the second-seeded Pole holding a 4-1 head-to-head record against Keys. Moreover, all four of Swiatek's victories against Keys had come in straight sets. This time too, Swiatek posed a similar threat but Keys kept her composure as she found her footing in the second set.

Known for her ability to show up in clutch moments, Swiatek had the opportunity to secure a fifth victory while serving at 6-5 in the deciding set but squandered a match point with a netted backhand. In the ensuing super-tiebreak, Keys found herself trailing for most of the contest and was down 7-5. However, she delivered her best serves under pressure, winning the final three points. Keys converted her first match point after an intense battle lasting 2 hours and 35 minutes.

"It was so up and down, and there were so many big points and break point chances that neither one of us got," Keys told in her on-court interview. "Did she have a match point? I feel like I blacked out at some point and I was just out there running around. Just to be able to stay in it, keep fighting, and then a 10-point tiebreak for an extra-dramatic finish."

With a nerve-wracking performance in the semi-final, Keys demonstrated her ability to upset any top seed. She now prepares to face the defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, in the ultimate showdown. Sabalenka holds a 4-1 lead in their head-to-head matchups. Iga Swiatek has now lost her second semi-final in Melbourne, with her first defeat coming against another American, Danielle Collins, in 2022. Additionally, Swiatek will have to wait longer to reclaim the World No.1 position from the Belarusian. Meanwhile, Sabalenka has the opportunity to secure a historic three-peat in Melbourne, provided she performs up to expectations.