Madison Keys stunned Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open women’s final to win her long-awaited first grand slam title while denying the World No 1 a historic ‘three-peat’.
Keys halted Sabalenka’s winning run in Melbourne and triumphed in the battle of two big-hitters, winning 6-3 2-6 7-5 in a thrilling deciding set on the Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka’s frustration spilled over as she smashed her racket after shaking hands at the net.
It capped an unlikely breakthrough triumph for Keys at the age of 29. She had saved match point in her semi-final win over Iga Swiatek, and joins a small group of players to beat the World No 1 and World No 2 on her way to winning a grand slam title.
Keys becomes the fourth-oldest first-time grand slam champion, in what was her 46th grand slam appearance. “I have wanted this for so long,” Keys said. “I’ve been in one other grand slam final and it didn’t go my way, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get back into this position to win a trophy again.”
Tomorrow, Jannik Sinner will attempt to defend his Australian Open men’s title, with the World No 1 facing Alexander Zverev. The big-serving German is aiming to win his first grand slam after two previous defeats in major finals.
Elsewhere, Alfie Hewett has become an Australian Open wheelchair singles champion for a second time, defeating rival Tokito Oda 6-2 6-4 to win his 10th grand slam singles crown. Hewett also won the wheelchair doubles alongside Gordon Reid yesterday. Britain’s Henry Patten claimed his second grand slam doubles title alongside Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara in a late-night epic
Follow the latest updates from the Australian Open final in our live blog below:
Aryna Sabalenka vs Madison Keys - Australian Open live updates
- Madison Keys stuns World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open
- American Keys makes remarkable grand slam breakthrough at age of 29
- Sabalenka’s bid to win three in a row ends in anger as World No 1 smashes rackets
- THIRD SET! Keys breaks Sabalenka in final game to win decider 7-5
- SECOND SET! Sabalenka roars back to win second set 6-2 and force third
- FIRST SET! Keys starts strong and wins opening set against Sabalenka 6-3
- Alfie Hewett wins second Australian Open title with victory over Tokito Oda
- Henry Patten wins second grand slam doubles title after Australian Open epic
- Jannik Sinner faces Alexander Zverev in men's singles final tomorrow
Henry Patten wins second grand slam doubles title after Australian Open epic
15:49
,
Eleanor Crooks
Britain’s Henry Patten claimed his second grand slam doubles title alongside Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara in a late-night epic at the Australian Open.
The pair did not walk out on Rod Laver Arena until 10.30pm local time after a lengthy women’s singles final and it took until beyond midnight for the first set of their final against Italian third seeds Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori to conclude.
They were edged out in a 34-point tie-break after having 10 set points but put it behind them to clinch a 6-7 (16) 7-6 (5) 6-3 victory just before 1.45am.
Alfie Hewett claims another Australian Open wheelchair title after ‘Federer and Nadal’-like rivalry
15:35
,
Eleanor Crooks
Alfie Hewett likened his rivalry with Tokito Oda to that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after finally getting the better of the Japanese 18-year-old.
Hewett was unable to hold back tears after defeating Oda 6-4 6-4 in the men’s wheelchair final at the Australian Open to win his 10th grand slam singles title and 32nd overall.
Since beating the teenager in the final here two years ago, Hewett had lost to Oda in three slam finals and the battle for the Paralympic gold medal in Paris last summer.
His dedication to ending the losing run in big finals saw him bring a left-handed hitting partner to Melbourne Park purely to prepare for a potential final against Oda, and it paid off.
Madison Keys credits therapy for unlocking her potential as grand slam winner
15:05
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys credited lots of therapy for the mental unburdening that allowed her to realise a lifelong dream of winning a first grand slam title.
The American ended Aryna Sabalenka’s hopes of a third straight Australian Open title, seizing her moment to claim a 6-3 2-6 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena.
In the Open era, only Flavia Pennetta, Ann Jones and Francesca Schiavone have won maiden grand slam titles later into their career than 29-year-old Keys, who covered her face with her hands in delight and disbelief after sending a final forehand winner fizzing past Sabalenka.
It was not supposed to be this way for the power hitter who turned professional aged 14 having been tipped for greatness at an even younger age.
How Madison Keys overcame the doubts to finally achieve grand slam breakthrough
14:44
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys was 11 years old when she was first told she could win a grand slam. She remembered the excitement she felt, realising the skills and talents she possessed as a junior had the potential to grow into trophies, titles and life-changing success. At 14, Keys played her first professional match. A year later, she won her first tournament on the ITF circuit. Everyone could see the direction Keys was heading in, as if her destiny was written.
Then, at 22, Keys reached her first grand slam final at the US Open. In the biggest match of her life and on the biggest court in tennis, she was blown away by Sloane Stephens in just 61 minutes. The defeat was devastating. For Keys, as time progressed and the years slipped away without a major, the expectation of fulfilling her potential turned into a “burden”. The American became overwhelmed by the fear of failure, of the thought of ending her career with nothing to show for it.
But on Saturday, at the age of 29, Keys took the final step on that journey.
Madison Keys: ‘I kept telling myself, be brave, go for it'
14:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys on her mentality on match point, and winning the Australian Open behind a thumping forehand winner.
“I almost felt like I was trying to beat her to it. If I wasn’t going to go for it, I knew she was going to. It really kind of just pushed me to kind of thread the needle a little bit more. I just kept telling myself, Be brave, go for it, just kind of lay it all out on the line. Kind of at that point, no matter what happens, if I do that, then I can be proud of myself. It just made it a little bit easier.”
Madison Keys: ‘Expectation was a heavy burden to carry around'
13:59
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys on her path to finally winning a grand slam, at the age of 29.
“I think everything kind of happens for a reason. I think for me specifically, I kind of had to go through some tough things. I think it just kind of forced me to look at myself in the mirror a little bit and try to work on, like, kind of just internal pressure that I was putting on myself.
“I felt like from a pretty young age, I felt like if I never won a Grand Slam, then I wouldn’t have lived up to what people thought I should have been. That was a pretty heavy burden to kind of carry around. So I finally got to the point where I was proud of myself and proud of my career, with or without a Grand Slam.
“I finally got to the point where I was okay if it didn’t happen. I didn’t need it to feel like I had a good career or that I deserved to be talked about as a great tennis player. I feel like finally letting go of that kind of internal talk that I had just gave me the ability to actually go out and play some really good tennis to actually win a Grand Slam.”
Madison Keys reflects on her Australian Open triumph
13:40
,
Jamie Braidwood
“I’m mostly just really proud of myself to get back to this position and be able to play the way that I played and finish on such a strong note. I’m just really proud of myself. I didn’t always believe that I could get back to this point. But to be able to do it and win, it means the world to me.”
Aryna Sabalenka ‘super proud’ of Australian Open run
13:28
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka reflects on her 20-match tournament winning run coming to end, after reaching a third Australian Open final in a row but losing to Madison Keys.
“I’m super proud. As I was saying before these finals, the thing that I was able to achieve that many wins in a row at one Grand Slam, that’s crazy.
“That’s already something, you know? Anyway, when someone else going to achieve the same, they’re going to say the last player who was able to achieve, they’re going to say my name. It’s already something big. I’m just trying to stay positive right now, find something good (smiling), but that’s crazy.
“I couldn’t even dream, couldn’t even think about that, like, few years ago that I’d be able to win that many matches in the row at one slam. There is definitely something to be proud of and something I definitely have to improve and be better at. It’s always a process of these things to be proud and then to improve some stuff, which didn’t work well. “
Ayrna Sabalenka: ‘She played incredible'
13:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka on her defeat to Madison Keys:
“It’s definitely not the result I wanted to have. I think she just stepped in and play, like, nothing to lose at the end and was just going for her shots. At that moment I went in, so was great tennis. She fought throughout the tournament. She had a lot of difficult matches. In the final, she was playing really aggressively. Yeah, just wasn’t my day.
“If she can play consistently like that, there’s not much you can do. I mean, of course, I know how to play against her, but in this match I couldn’t really do my stuff. She just played incredible. It seems like she was overhitting everything. The depths of the balls were really crazy. I was trying my best. Obviously didn’t work well.
“Tactically I’d say I didn’t play my best, as well, at the beginning of the match. If I could change anything, I would try to start a little bit better with the movement. Maybe be a little bit more aggressive and not try to just play too passive, you know, and play my game no matter what.”
Aryna Sabalenka: ‘I was close to something crazy’
12:48
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka on throwing her racket after losing the final.
“There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieve something crazy. When you’re out there, you’re fighting, but it seems like everything going not the way you really want to go. I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful. “
“I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful (laughter). It’s okay. I mean, I’m the one who knows that after tough losses, there is good wins. So I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, if I’ll be in this situation, I’ll play definitely better.”
Madison Keys wins Australian Open
12:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
The winning moment for Madison Keys!
Madison Keys congratulates ‘unbelievable’ Aryna Sabalenka
12:13
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys adds during her victory speech:
“Firstly, Aryna you are an unbelievable player and I’m glad I got you back,” Keys said.
“You are always so tough to play against and we always have the craziest matches. Congratulations to you and your team for another amazing grand slam run.
“Thank you to everyone who came out and cheered the last two weeks. I always feel so at home here.
“I made my very first grand slam semi-final here in Melbourne, so to have won my first grand slam in the same place means the absolute world to me.”
Madison Keys wins Australian Open the hard way
11:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys has also won her first grand slam title the hard way. By winning the Australian Open, she has beaten three grand slam winners in Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina and four players in the world’s top 10, having also knocked out Danielle Collins.
She saved match point in the semi-final win over Swiatek, which was one of five matches to go to a deciding set.
Keys is also the first player to win a grand slam by defeating the World No 1 and World No 2 since Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2009 French Open and the first at Australian Open since compatriot Serena Williams in 2006.
Madison Keys and the story of an unlikely breakthrough
11:38
,
Jamie Braidwood
The story of Madison Keys’ grand slam breakthrough is one of perseverance. She turned professional at the age of just 14, and comes through to win her first major title at the age of 29.
She has won the Australian Open in what is her 11th appearance, while also becoming the player to have the longest gap between her first grand slam final defeat (in 2017) and first grand slam title (2025).
She is the fourth oldest first-time grand slam champion.
Madison Keys on grand slam title: ‘I have wanted this for so long’
11:22
,
Jamie Braidwood
An emotional Madison Keys admits she did not know if she was going to ever win grand slam as the American fights back to the tears during her speech.
“Bare with me, I’m absolutely going to cry,” Keys says, before turning to Sabalenka: “I’m glad I got you back.”
“This is where I’m going to cry - I have wanted this for so long,” Keys says.
“I’ve been in one other grand slam final and it didn’t go my way, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get back into this position to win a trophy again.
“My team believed in me every step of the way. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and helped me every step of the way.
“I love you all so much and I cannot wait for more. I just want to say thank you so much. I’m so appreciative towards every single person who helped me continue to believe in myself and push on to achieve this dream.”
Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Madison Keys on Australian Open win
11:16
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka turns to her coaching team, who are laughing and sending a ‘love heart’ at the runner-up.
“Should I say anything to my team? Why are you laughing? As always that’s your fault guys!” Sabalenka laughts.
“I don’t want to see you for the next week - I really hate you! Thank you so much for everything and blah, blah blah.
“I think we did our best, just Madison was doing incredible and I couldn’t do anything in this match. Next time I play Madison I will bring better tennis.
“Of course, sending love to my team. I love you even though we lost.”
Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Madison Keys on Australian Open win
11:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka has composed herself and makes a classy speech, congratulating Madison Keys on her grand slam breakthrough.
“It’s OK, I hope I see you next year! First of all, Madison, wow. What a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy, you have been playing unbelievable tennis, you crushed it tonight. Congrats to you and your team, really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the fun part.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who makes this tournament happen, thank you for making my stay comfortable. I really feel at home every time I am here and even though I didn’t get it this time I will be back stronger and will do my best next year. Thank you guys for an amazing atmosphere throughout. You guys are amazing.
“Of course thank you to all the sponsors, tournament director, everyone who was helping - I am speechless - thank you so much.”
Madison Keys wins Australian Open title
11:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
Madison Keys is the oldest first-time Australian Open women’s champion, and at 29 is just the fourth woman to win her first grand slam title at this stage of her career. Only Flavia Pennetta, Ann Jones and Francesca Schiavone had previously won their first grand slam after turning 29.
Madison Keys wins Australian Open title
11:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
A tough defeat for Aryna Sabalenka to take. Her second defeat in a grand slam final, and second to an American after also losing to Coco Gauff at the US Open in 2023.
She remains World No 1, and a three-time grand slam champion. But Sabalenka let her frustration out and smashed her rackets after shaking hands at the net.
MADISON KEYS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
10:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Madison Keys 6-3 2-6 7-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Keys is laughing through the happy tears on court, as Sabalenka heads down the tunnel to conceal her own.
Keys is looking directly at her husband, and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo. What an inspired decision that was from the American!
MADISON KEYS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
10:56
,
Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Madison Keys 6-3 2-6 7-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Hugely emotional, contrasting scenes as Keys hugs her team by the side of the court and Sabalenka cover her face with a towel.
This really is one of the most unexpected grand slam triumphs in recent years. Keys, at 29, must have thought over the years that a grand slam was beyond her.
But she has stormed through both Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka to win, ending the World No 1’s 20-match winning run at Melbourne Park.
MADISON KEYS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
10:49
,
Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Madison Keys 6-3 2-6 7-5 Aryna Sabalenka
UNREAL! In the tightest of final sets, Madison Keys plays the game of her life to win her first grand slam title! Aryna Sabalenka’s winning run is over!
The American puts her hands to her head in disbelief! Sabalenka can’t believe it either! She is furious but hugs Keys at the net! Afterwards, she slams her rackets to the ground.
The 29-year-old wins her first grand slam, and what a way to do it! She beats the World No 1, with the backhand winner to seal it!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:48
,
Jamie Braidwood
*Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 5-6 Madison Keys
Strong first serve from Sabalenka... the return from Keys is hacked, and drifts just wide.
WINNER FROM KEYS!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
*Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 5-6 Madison Keys
Are we heading into a match tiebreak for the title? Sabalenka loses the first point with a forehand error, and Keys thumps the backhand error to move two points away!
0-30! Keys goes for it on the backhand, but it’s out.
SABALENKA NETS ON THE FOREHAND!
IT’S TWO CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TO MADISON KEYS!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:43
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 5-6 Madison Keys
Sabalenka gestures to herself as she can’t keep the return in play on 0-15. But Sabalenka powers the forehand return past Keys on the second serve! Ruthless, attacking play!
Pressure on Keys, especially the first serve. She finds it, beating Sabalenka by finding her spot down the middle.
30-30. What a shot from Keys! Sabalenka thumped the deep return but Keys, on the half-volley, steers it back for a winner.
WINNER FROM KEYS! She finds the serve and puts the forehand behind Sabalenka! Keys holds and gets through to a tiebreak at least!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 5-5 Madison Keys*
This is so tense. The title is one game away.
Sabalenka nets on the opening point but Keys can’t take advantage, and pushes the backhand long when she had a look at 0-30.
Excellent from Sabalanka to find the serve and forehand winner. Keys stretches but can’t return. It’s 30-15.
Winner from Sabalenka with the backhand down the line! Nothing Keys can do. She does, though, get a look at attacking the second serve and does so to put Sabalenka on the back foot.
40-30. Brilliant, spinny serve from Sabalenka down the middle. Precision, not power, beats Keys. We go on!
5-5!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 4-5 Madison Keys
Keys has her heart in her mouth as Sabalenka lines up the forehand strike against the second serve, but the World No 1 nets.
Sabalenka goes to the drop shot, Keys reaches it but can’t clear the net on the low forehand. A small chance for Sabalenka on 40-30.
But she can’t keep her return in play and Keys moves a game away from the title! Though this is still on serve. Sabalenka will have to hold to stay alive. A couple of gifts there from Sabalenka on the returns.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 4-4 Madison Keys*
It feels like I’ve barely said anything about the Sabalenka serve in this set. That’s because the World No 1 has been dominant, and skips through a second consecutive love-hold. It switches the pressure back onto Keys.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 3-4 Madison Keys
After a couple of misses on the returns, Sabalenka goes big on the forehand against the Keys second serve and turns it into the winner.
This time the backhand pins Keys onto the baseline and the American nets. A pressure point to come on 30-30.
Keys finds the excellent combination, wide serve followed by a forehand winner into the opposite corner.
Backhand winner from Keys! “Come on!” she roars! The American moves two games away. Impressive hold, while playing on the front foot!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 3-3 Madison Keys*
What a shot from Sabalenka! She reaches low to her backhand side to deliver a thumping winner over the high part of the net and down the line.
Great defence and coverage from Sabalenka to reach the Keys forehand crosscourt, as the American then floats long.
40-0. Keys goes long on the return. The comfortable holds continue but who can make the first break?
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:26
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 2-3 Madison Keys
Sabalenka makes an incredible get out wide to return a Keys overhead, but the effort is for nothing as the American pops the winner into the empty court.
Sabalenka slices the drop shot into the net and Keys gets the hold, edging back ahead in the decider. That was a brilliant overhead from Keys, stretching over her left shoulder.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:24
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 2-2 Madison Keys*
Another routine service hold from Sabalenka, with Keys unable to make any inroads into the World No1’s serve. The American concedes the game with a forehand return that goes long.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:19
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 1-2 Madison Keys
Sabalenka senses a big chance as she cracks another gap in the Keys serve and looks at 0-30. Keys steadies with the forehand winner past Sabalenka, and the throws everything she has at the World No 1 behind the forehand.
Sabalenka defended well, but then couldn’t find the pass. Sabalenka nets on the return and Keys holds from 0-30 down! A big moment?
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:16
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 1-1 Madison Keys*
Sabalenka shurgs off a drop-shot into the net. She too finds good serving, as Keys goes long on the return.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:13
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 0-1 Madison Keys
A love-hold with an ace? That’s about as good as it could have been for Keys, who needs her serve to return to the levels she found in the first set. She needed that.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 0-0 Madison Keys*
No delay as the third set gets underway. Keys will serve first but this feels like a must-hold game for the American given the direction of the second set.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA WINS SECOND SET! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 Madison Keys*
Sabalenka improved in almost every category in the second set, particulary on serve as she found 83% serving and cut out the double faults. The winners started to flow, too, out-hitting Keys with 13 winners to eight and making fewer unforced errors.
Keys struggled on serve and won just 38% of second serve points, as Sabalenka broke twice.
Onto a deciding set we go! Who will find their best level in the third?
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:06
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA WINS SECOND SET! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-2 Madison Keys*
Really clever from Sabalenka. She has switched up her game nicely and the drop shot is working wonders, and she floats the deft slice just beyond the net.
30-0 and two points away from the set. Keys this time reads the short ball but can’t clear the net on the forehand!
Three set points for Sabalenka to take us into a deciding set! But this won’t be easy for the World No 1, a double fault brings Keys into it at 40-30.
But Keys can’t keep her forehand in play as she looks for the big winner! Sabalenka pumps her first again and levels the match!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
10:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
KEYS HOLDS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 5-2 Madison Keys
Keys was ahead 5-1 in the first set but Sabalenka found a way to come back into it, which helped her start the second so well.
Now the American hopes to do the same ahead of a possible third set, but the level of her serving has fallen and Sabalenka senses a chance.
Keys, though, finds a tricky second serve that Sabalenka can’t attack. Great defence from Sabalenka, but she can’t take over in the point and fires long.
Sabalenka misses on the return and Keys holds. The World No 1 will serve for the third set next.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 5-1 Madison Keys*
Another drop shot from Sabalenka! This time to save another break point. Keys then nets on two consecutive returns and Sabalenka pumps her fist as she earns an important hold.
Five games in a row for Sabalenka.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:55
,
Jamie Braidwood
*Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 4-1 Madison Keys
What a shot from Keys! Terrific backhand from the American, and possibly the biggest winner of the final so far, and it brings up two break points.
Sabalenka responds with the ace down the middle. ACE from Sabalenka. Her improving serving has really helped turned this final around her way.
Now she works the serve into the drop shot, which Keys is unable to reach. Keys is not down yet and lands her second winner of the game with a stunning forehand down the line.
Deuce.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:50
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA BREAKS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 4-1 Madison Keys
Sabalenka’s growing confidence is on display as she floats a drop shot and skips to move 15-30 up. Sabalenka ramps up the pressure on the backhand side and Keys nets!
Another two break points on the Keys serve... Sabalenka finds the backhand winner crosscourt as Keys came into the net!
Sabalenka has roared back and this final has turned!
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 3-1 Madison Keys*
The Sabalenka serve is starting to stand up to the pressure Keys has been applying on the returns. The World No 1 rallies from 0-30 down to hold, as Keys nets on the backhand out wide.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:42
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA BREAKS! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 2-1 Madison Keys
Sabalenka jumps on the Keys second serve as the ball sits up perfectly for the forehand strike. A fifth break point of this set, and Sabalenka takes it! She attacks on the backhand this time, and takes the break at last. The pressure eventually tells against the Keys serve.
The defending champion roars back into this.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:40
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 1-1 Madison Keys*
Sabalenka clips the net-cord on the backhand and moves to 0-30 on the Keys serve! But the American finds her spots and gets back to 30-30 with an ace.
Sabalenka keeps asking questions, and will have a look at break point as Keys goes wide on the backhand. It’s followed by another ace from Keys.
Sabalenka is showing signs of improving in the rallies and Keys makes another miss. Again, the serve delivers to save a second break point, as Sabalenka can’t return out wide.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
SABALENKA HOLDS! Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 1-1 Madison Keys*
Sabalenka accidentally strikes Keys in the face with a smash that the American lost track of. Sabalenka catches the line with her serve to add insult to injury.
But Keys overcomes Sabalenka again in the baseline rally. 30-30. A chance for Keys as she moves in on the backhand, but she can’t keep the short ball in play.
Keys fires long on the return and Sabalenka holds.
Keys vs Sabalenka LIVE: Australian Open updates
09:32
