CNN
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Madison Keys won her first-ever Grand Slam title on Saturday, stunning two-time defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 7-5 in a thrilling Australian Open women’s final.
The 29-year-old American first had one of those golden days where every part of her game went perfectly – her serve was impeccable, her returns aggressive and her groundstrokes as powerful as Sabalenka’s , notoriously powerful – as she rushed in early. -put the lead.
But in the second set – as Sabalenka displayed all the qualities that have made her the most dominant hard-court player on the women’s tour – Keys’ easy, languorous pace abandoned her and all momentum seemed to return to the Belarusian.
Keys has already come close to winning a Grand Slam title, reaching the 2017 US Open final and four major semifinals. But none of that pressure seemed to affect her in the final set as she kept her composure, eventually breaking Sabalenka at 7-5, raising her arms to the sky in celebration before running towards her team, hugging her coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo.
A former prodigy who seemed destined for Grand Slam success early in her career, Keys had never quite reached the heights she was expected to reach until now. She suffered a devastating and comprehensive 6-3 6-0 defeat to Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final before somehow losing to Sabalenka in the US Open semi-finals 2023 despite a set and a breakup.
“I wanted this for so long and I made it to another Grand Slam final. It didn’t go the way I wanted and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get back to that position to try to win a trophy again,” she said during her on-field interview, the voice cracking with emotion. “And my team believed in me every step of the way, so thank you very much.
“Last year was very difficult with very bad injuries and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it again and be here and win this trophy and also be able to do it with my husband who is a little dizzy and confused over there , I love you all so much and I can’t wait for more.
This year, something seemed different for Keys. She entered this final on the back of an incredible run throughout this tournament, surpassing higher-ranked players like Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins and world number 2 Iga Świątek, and becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat world number 2. .1 and No. 2 at the Australian Open.
And Keys continued that momentum in the final, opening with a ferocity that sent Sabalenka off the court as she took a 5-1 lead. Although Sabalenka appeared unusually shaken, conceding two double faults and a break in her first service game, it was Keys’ exceptional tennis that forced the world number 1 into so many errors.
She missed just three first serves in the first set and every shot she attempted seemed to find its target – even a backhand that appeared to be heading towards the net erased it, leaving Sabalenka marooned on the baseline, only able to wince when the ball fell well out of his reach.
Keys then closed out the first set 6-3, and Sabalenka immediately left the court to reset and try to jumpstart her comeback.
As Sabalenka’s serve became more precise in the second set, giving her more of a grip in the match, the shots Keys made in the first set floated long or tangled in the net and she made just as many unforced errors in the top four. games of the second set as she had done in the entirety of the first.
Sabalenka broke Keys twice, took control of the second set and suddenly the scores were tied.
With the pressure mounting, Keys served first in the third set and set the tone from the start, winning every point in her first service game. However, Sabalenka matched her stride and the score remained stuck on serve at 5-5. Never since 2012 has a women’s Grand Slam final been so close in the third set.
It looked like the match was headed for a deciding tiebreak, but Keys found a burst of extra energy, produced two forehand winners to hold serve and make it 6-5, before breaking Sabalenka with a another winner to make it 7-5 and secure the score. earn.
Sabalenka, who was seeking to become the first woman in 26 years to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, was left stunned and smashed her racket to the ground in frustration before recovering to congratulate Keys and joke with her team during of the trophy ceremony that followed. .
“As always, it’s your fault guys!” she joked. “I don’t want to see you next week – I really hate you!” Thank you very much for everything and blah, blah blah.
“I think we did our best, Madison was doing amazing things and I couldn’t do anything in that match. Next time I play Madison, I’ll bring better tennis. Of course, I send love to my team. I love you even though we lost.
This story has been updated with additional information.
