Madison Keys Shocks Iga Swiatek To Set Up Australian Open Final Against Aryna Sabalenka
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Australian Open: Madison Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a nail-biter
Madison Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek in a nail-biter and set up an Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 19th seed battled through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world number two 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) after Sabalenka swept aside Paula Badosa in straight sets. Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek had not dropped her serve since the first round but was broken eight times by Keys, who saved a match point on her way to edging a titanic battle.
It will be the American's first final in Melbourne, only her second in Slams, and she broke down in tears after finally getting over the line in 2hr 35min.
It was the first time an Australian Open semi-final had been decided by a third-set 10-point tiebreak.
"That match was just such a high level and she played so well," Keys, 29, 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.
