Australian Open: American Madison Keys stuns world No. 2 Iga Świątek to set up final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka

American Madison Keys stunned world No. 2 Iga Świątek in an all-time Australian Open classic, coming from a set down to win 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) and set up a final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka.

There were seven breaks of serve between No. 19 seed Keys and Świątek in an epic back-and-forth first set, with the Polish star edging ahead after breaking her opponent for the fourth time.

The second set could not have been more different, with Keys breaking every one of Świątek’s service games to level the match in impressive fashion.

But it was the third set that really elevated the match to classic status. With the scores tied at 5-5, Keys suffered the first break of the deciding set as Świątek took a 6-5 lead with a chance to serve out the match.

The loss will be particularly galling for Świątek, who had match point at 40-30 up but was unable to convert and reach her first Australian Open final.

That meant the match would be decided on a 10-point championship tie-break, which only provided further heartbreak for Świątek. She led for almost the entirety of the tie-break and was two points away from the win at 8-7.

However, a series of booming shots from Keys broke Świątek’s resistance. The American won the final three points to seal a 10-8 win and reach her first grand slam final since the 2017 US Open.

In her on-court interview after the match, Keys could scarcely believe what she had just achieved.

“I’m still trying to catch up to everything that’s happening,” she said while whirling her fingers around her head. “Umm … yeah … I’m in the final!”