Australian Open: Madison Keys denies Aryna Sabalenka historic hat-trick of Melbourne titles with thrilling victory

Big-hitting Madison Keys caused a seismic shock to deny world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka an historic hat-trick of Australian Open titles and claim her maiden Grand Slam crown on Saturday.

World No 1 Sabalenka was bidding to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in the late 1990s to win three straight titles at Melbourne Park.

But American Keys, who seemed destined never to achieve the Grand Slam title that had been predicted when she turned professional aged only 14, followed up her upset of second seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals by sealing a 6-3 2-6 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena.

• Australian Open: As it happened on women's finals day 🦘
• Latest scores & schedule from Melbourne 🐨
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺
• Sky Sports Tennis podcast - subscribe and download 🔊

"There's no way I'm getting through this without tears," said an emotional Keys after stepping up to receive the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

"I made my very first Grand Slam semi-final here so to have won my first Grand Slam in the same place means the absolute world to me.

"I have wanted this for so long. I have been in one other Grand Slam final, it didn't go my way and I didn't know if I was ever going to be able to get back to this position.

"My team believed in me every step of the way so thank you so much. They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

"Last year was so tough with some bad injuries. To be here and to be able to do it with my husband, who's dazed and confused over there, I love you all so much."

Keys, who is the oldest woman to make her Grand Slam breakthrough at Melbourne Park, rushed over to her courtside coaching pod, where she sobbed in the arms of husband Bjorn Fratangelo, who has played a crucial role in her breakthrough having agreed to become her coach last year.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Meanwhile, Sabalenka showed her frustration by smashing her racket, sitting on the bench with a towel over her head and even briefly walking off court before the trophy ceremony.

"There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieve something crazy. When you're out there, you're fighting, it seems like everything [is not] going the way you really want [it] to go," the No 1-ranked Sabalenka said.

"I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end, just so I could give a speech [and] not stand there being disrespectful," Sabalenka added. "I was just trying to let it go and be a good person."

'A shame how Sabalenka reacted'

Jo Durie, speaking on Eurosport, spoke about Sabalenka's frustrations boiling over at the end:

"It's a shame she did that. I know she is going for a third [Australian Open win] and emotions are running high.

"But it does rather take away from the moment for Madison.

"It was a fantastic match, great to watch, and I think we were all kind of thinking, 'Can Keys do it? Can she hold her nerve?' She did and it's just tremendous to see."

How the final unfolded...

In her only previous Grand Slam final at the US Open eight years ago, Keys had been struck by nerves and won only three games against good friend Sloane Stephens.

She revealed ahead of this match that she had been trying to learn from Sabalenka not to hold back in the big moments and she was true to her word.

Sabalenka is not used to facing players with a similar arsenal of power shots and Keys was dealing out blows that the watching Jackie Chan would have been proud of, particularly off her serve and backhand.

By contrast, the top seed was struggling to find her range and relax into the occasion, casting frequent glances towards her box and dropping her racket to the court in frustration.

Two double faults in the opening game set the tone and another break of serve in the fifth helped Keys into a 5-1 lead.

The American had a set point in a long seventh game but Sabalenka was dug out of trouble by her serve and, although Keys went on to take the set, it was a turning point of sorts.

Keys tightened up on serve in the game that followed, handing Sabalenka a break back, but a huge double fault from the Belarusian in the next game gave her a second set point and this time the 19th seed made no mistake, sending a backhand winner fizzing down the line.

Sabalenka has handled everything thrown at her in Melbourne over the last three years, though, and - after heading off court for a bathroom break - she set about levelling the contest.

Keys' first-serve percentage dropped and her belief seemed to waver, while the key shot for Sabalenka was not her thumping ground strokes or serve but the short angled forehand slice, which repeatedly left her opponent stranded.

Keys had brilliantly stood firm against Swiatek in the deciding set of their semi-final before clinching a stunning win and she refused to buckle to Sabalenka's pressure.

The statistics were barely able to separate the two women and, as the tension ratcheted up, so did the quality and pace.

With Sabalenka serving at 5-6 to force a deciding tie-break, Keys sensed her time was now. Seizing the moment as she had planned, she fizzed returns back at her opponent to bring up two match points, taking the first in stunning fashion.

Tale of the Tape

Sabalenka gracious in defeat

"Madison, wow what a tournament," said Sabalenka. "You've been fighting really hard to get this trophy, you played incredible tennis. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the really fun part."

Turning to her team, the 26-year-old joked: "As always, that's your fault guys. I don't want to see you for the next week. I really hate you. Thank you so much for everything you're doing for me blah blah blah.

"No, I think we did our best, just Madison was doing incredible."

Social media reaction

Sabalenka vs Keys: Momentum plots

'Couldn't be prouder of Keys'

Laura Robson, speaking on Eurosport:

"To now lift that trophy in what was such a topsy-turvy match - so nerve-wracking - I could not be prouder of the performance she just put on.

"It was a match that 18 months ago she certainly wouldn't have won. [I'm] thinking back to eight years ago and that final at the US Open and how different tonight was."

Henman: Keys' fight amazing to see

Tim Henman, speaking on Eurosport:

"She's had to win five three-set matches. She had to play the No 2 in the world and save a match point in the semi-final [against Iga Swiatek].

"Then it's the No 1 in the world and the defending champion in the final.

"The way Madison fought in that third set, to keep holding serve in the first 11 games... no break point opportunities.

"And then to break and take the title, it's just amazing to see."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.