Keys stuns Sabalenka to claim first Grand Slam title at Australian Open
Underdog Madison Keys triumphed over top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory to secure her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday. The 29-year-old American ended Sabalenka’s hopes of achieving a historic third consecutive Melbourne Park singles title, becoming the fourth-oldest first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era.
Keys, seeded 19th, broke down in tears of joy after clinching the title in a tense final set, while Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, buried her head in a towel after her 20-match Melbourne Park winning streak came to an end.
A Dream Fulfilled
“This means the absolute world to me,” Keys said in an emotional victory speech. “I have wanted this for so long. I’ve been in one other Grand Slam final, and it didn’t go my way. I didn’t know if I would ever get back to this position again.”
Keys’ victory marks the culmination of a 15-year journey from a teenage prodigy to a major champion. She first made headlines by winning her maiden WTA match at age 14 and reached her first Grand Slam semi-final in Melbourne a decade ago at 19.
“To win my first Grand Slam here, where I made my very first Grand Slam semi-final, means so much,” she added, thanking her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, and her team for their unwavering support.
A Battle of Resilience
Keys came out strong in the first set, playing with precision and power to take it 6-3 in just 35 minutes. Sabalenka, however, rebounded in the second set, finding her rhythm and dictating play with powerful groundstrokes to level the match.
In the decider, the 26-year-old Belarusian appeared to be in control as she served to force a final-set tiebreak. But Keys held her nerve, breaking Sabalenka to seal the victory with her 29th winner after 2 hours and 2 minutes of intense play.
Sabalenka Gracious in Defeat
Despite the disappointment, Sabalenka was magnanimous in her praise for Keys. “Madison, what a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy,” she said during the trophy presentation.
The Belarusian, who won the title in 2023 and 2024, vowed to return stronger. “I really feel like it’s home when I’m here, and I’ll do my best to come back and win next year.”
(Source: AFP)
