One month away from her thirtieth birthday, Madison Keys is lastly a Grand Slam champion.
Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, breaking Sabalenka’s serve for the primary time within the third set with a winner within the nook. It was the primary profession Australian Open title and first Slam for Keys, who turned professional 13 years in the past as a 16-year-old. Whereas she was a teenage prodigy, titles had eluded her as an grownup, along with her best-ever end being a loss within the ultimate of the 2017 U.S. Open.
That modified this January in Melbourne. Keys made it by way of a gauntlet to get the Australian Open trophy, defeating the world No. 1 in Sabalenka, the two-time defending Australian Open champion, two nights after defeating world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek within the semifinals, each in three units. In opposition to Swiatek, Keys confronted a match level earlier than rallying to win the third-set tiebreaker, 10-8.
Keys additionally beat world No. 11 Danielle Collins, world No. 7 Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon winner, and Elina Svitolina, the final two in three units. The truth is, all 4 of Keys’ ultimate matches in Melbourne went the gap, displaying her toughness and endurance.
Keys put herself in place for the win by smoking a return from Sabalenka whereas tied 30-30 and up six video games to 5. It was one in all her finest photographs of the event, if not her total profession.
Sabalenka was devastated after the marathon loss, smashing her racket and sitting with a towel over her head. She had an opportunity to grow to be the sixth lady to ever win three straight Australian Open titles, and the primary since Martina Hingis (1999). However she recovered to provide a gracious runner-up speech the place she credited Keys and sarcastically roasted her personal crew, telling them, “As all the time, that is your fault, guys.”
However the evening, and the entire event, belonged to Keys, who bought a title that even she mentioned she thought would possibly by no means come. She made it by way of 13 grueling years on the tour and a collection of epic matches at this event. Now, she will be able to lastly name herself a Grand Slam champion.
And the $2.2M in prize cash is good, too.
