American Madison Keys stands between Aryna Sabalenka and a historic third consecutive Australian Open title after upsetting Iga Swiatek in a dramatic three-set cliffhanger.
Swiatek served for a final spot in the 12th game of the third set and had a match point before Keys triumphed 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the most thrilling contest of the tournament to date.
Madison Keys celebrates winning through to the final.Credit: Eddie Jim
Keys, 29, never led in the match tie-breaker until the second-last point, but one last Swiatek miss on her forehand sealed victory for the No.19 seed.
Sabalenka earlier thrashed best friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 to book her final berth.
It will be Keys’ second career grand slam final – behind the 2017 US Open – and first at Melbourne Park, as reward for her fearless ball-striking, which delivered 36 winners to Swiatek’s 22.
“I’m still trying to catch up to everything that’s happening – I’m in the finals!” Keys said, before high-fiving former Australian player Casey Dellacqua, who was conducting the on-court interview.
“That match was just such a high level, and she played so well. I felt like I was just fighting to stay in it, and then obviously really kind of ran with the second [set], 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.”
There was some controversy entering the final set.
Swiatek, who has a history of questionable delaying tactics at key moments in matches, took a lengthy toilet break after losing the second set, prompting Keys to tap her wrist towards the chair umpire.
Madison Keys questions the time Iga Swiatek is taking between sets.Credit: Nine
Keys responded with an ace to start the set, then a strong service hold to begin what became a wild ride.
At the two-hour mark, the players were locked at four-all after Swiatek dodged a pair of break points.
Keys rallied from 0-40 in the next game to hold serve – roaring afterwards towards her coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo – but was not so fortunate two games later.
The American’s power game got her to that point, but an ill-advised drop shot gave Swiatek an easy put-away forehand to break serve.
Swiatek soon brought up match point, but Keys continued to swing hard to fight back from the brink of defeat, only for the Pole to double fault off the net to send the set to a roller-coaster match tie-breaker.
“I think at the end, I feel like we were battling some nerves, really just pushing each other,” Keys said.
“It just became who can get that final point and who can kind of just be a little bit better than the other one – and I’m happy it was me.”
Earlier, Belarusian powerhouse Sabalenka breezed past her best friend Badosa to reach another Australian Open final.
After falling 2-0 behind, Sabalenka bludgeoned her way to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Badosa on the back of an extraordinary 32 winners.
Aryna Sabalenka acknowledges the crowd after her semi-final win.Credit: Eddie Jim
Now the world No.1 is one win away from making history, as she bids to win a third consecutive women’s singles title in Melbourne. It would be the first time anyone has achieved that feat since Martina Hingis from 1997-99.
The only other women to win three straight Australian Open women’s singles titles are Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990) and Monica Seles (1991-1993).
“I have goosebumps [thinking about it]. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my team – [that we were] able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s a privilege. If I’m able to put my name into history, it will mean a lot. It will mean the world to me. It’s been a dream. I mean, I couldn’t even dream about that, to be honest.
“First, I was dreaming to win at least one grand slam. Now, I have this opportunity. It’s incredible. I’m going to go out and leave everything I have, in the final.”
Sabalenka was a runaway train once she forced her way back on top, and the end was nigh once Badosa sent down consecutive double faults to hand over the break in the third game of the second set.
It was a tough night for the Spaniard, who also took a tumble early in the second set and fell face-first into the court before offering a thumbs up to Sabalenka.
Their strong friendship was evidenced when she shared a laugh in the locker room 15 minutes after the match.
“I think after a couple of battles against each other, we spoke and we decided to put it aside,” Sabalenka said.
“She wants it badly. We both want it badly. It’s our dream. Here, we [are] opponents. No matter [what happens] on the court, we’ll be friends after our matches.
“It’s tough to do [but] we agreed on that. I think we’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend. I mean, I’m sure she [will] hate me for the next hour, or day or two. I can handle that.
“After that, I think we’re back to being friends. Back to going out together, shopping.”
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