In a stunning turn of events at the Australian Open 2025, Madison Keys triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden Grand Slam title, denying the World No. 1 a historic three-peat in Melbourne.
The 30-year-old American displayed incredible composure and skill as she won 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a gripping final that lasted two hours and two minutes, making it a night to remember at Rod Laver Arena.
Keys, who had been haunted by the memory of her runner-up finish at the US Open in 2017, grabbed this opportunity to make amends. This was her second major final, and she was determined not to let history repeat itself.
The 19th seed played some of the best tennis of her career, showing off crisp groundstrokes, powerful serves, and mental toughness that put her in control of the match.
The win also ended Sabalenka’s incredible 20-match unbeaten streak at the Australian Open, a feat that was bound to make Keys’ victory even sweeter.
In a final that had its fair share of tense moments, it was only fitting that Keys clinched her first Grand Slam victory with a spectacular forehand, sealing the match on her second match point.
This victory marked her place in history as the fifth American woman since 2000 to win the Australian Open. The win also cemented her as the oldest player to defeat both the World No. 1 and No. 2 at a Grand Slam event since the WTA Rankings began in 1975.
Before the match, tennis icon Sania Mirza had speculated about Sabalenka’s mental state, suggesting that the pressure could get to her, given her near-perfect hard-court record since the US Open 2023.
It seemed Mirza's words rang true when Sabalenka opened the match with a double fault and a break in her first service game. From the outset, Keys showed why she was the better player on the day.
She dominated the rallies with her powerful and accurate groundstrokes, never overhitting like Sabalenka did, and always maintaining the perfect balance between power and placement.
Sabalenka’s frustrations started to show early on, committing multiple double faults and unforced errors. She found herself struggling with her first serve, only managing to get 64 percent in, and winning just 54 percent of the points when it was in play.
In contrast, Keys had a steady performance, breaking Sabalenka twice in the first set to secure a 6-3 win, although Sabalenka did manage to break back during the set.
After taking a timeout at the end of the first set, Sabalenka returned to the court with a renewed sense of focus. She had to adjust her game, using better placement and drop shots, knowing that Keys was positioned far behind the baseline to counter her power.
Sabalenka’s improved serving and tactical play allowed her to dominate the second set, which she won comfortably 6-2.
The final set was nothing short of thrilling. Both players fought hard to land their best shots, and it was clear that the match was going to be a test of nerves. Keys faced some pressure during her service games but remained resolute, hitting aces and finding the perfect serves when she needed them most.
As Sabalenka grew increasingly frustrated, Keys continued to hold her own, serving well and keeping the momentum in her favour.
At 6-5, Keys faced the biggest test of her career. With Sabalenka serving to stay in the match, Keys knew this was her chance to break and claim the title. She brought out her finest tennis, hitting a trademark forehand that sealed the deal and made her the Australian Open champion for 2025.
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