When Madison Keys took the first set of the Australian Open final, it looked like a shock might be on the cards. The American certainly has the game to trouble the best in the business – as she demonstrated by beating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals – and but for injuries, would surely have played in more Major finals. Aryna Sabalenka’s second-set fightback suggested that the match might be turning back in the world #1’s favour, but in a thrilling deciding set, it was Keys who held her nerve and struck in the decisive moment as she broke Sabalenka’s serve at 6-5 to seal the match.
Fittingly Keys, who has trusted in her aggressive instincts throughout the tournament, won the match with a thunderous forehand winner that Sabalenka made no more than a gesture towards tracking down. It capped off a remarkable fortnight for the American, who had already beaten world #2 Iga Swiatek from a set down in the semifinals.
It also washed away the doubtless bitter memories of her only previous appearance in a Grand Slam final in 2017 on home turf in New York. On that night, a combination of injury issues and the pressures of the occasion saw Keys swept aside by Sloane Stephens in straight sets. Offered an unexpected chance at redemption in Melbourne, Keys seized her chance.
This defeat will be disappointing for Sabalenka, who was probably playing the better tennis for the majority of the deciding set only for her focus at the vital moment, but she should have plenty of confidence that she will come again in Melbourne. After all, her record at Melbourne Park over the last three years still stands at a very impressive 20-1.
But it was Keys’ night in Melbourne as at times over the course of the match she took the racket out of Sabalenka’s hands. She was also able to rely on her serve to bail her out of trouble when she was under pressure, particularly in the third set. After this win, if Keys is able to stay healthy, it would be no surprise to see her challenge for and win further Grand Slam titles.
The American has always had the game to be one of the best players in the world. Over the last fortnight, she has delivered a timely reminder of exactly that and put the rest of the WTA Tour on notice. 2025 might just be the year of Madison Keys.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
