The second semi-final went down to the wire on Rod Laver Arena as a double fault sent the match into a tie-break and Madison Keys produced an epic comeback to win it 10-8.
The second semi-final went down to the wire on Rod Laver Arena as a double fault sent the match into a tie-break and Madison Keys produced an epic comeback to win it 10-8.
Keys has kept her focus and rolled through the first game of the second set breaking Swiatek’s serve in the process.
Let’s see if Keys can get on a roll.
It’s 7-5, 1-0.
Swiatek has punched the air after winning the last game and claiming the first set 7-5.
She had to work far harder than expected but she has the set.
One more set win and she will be in the final.
Keys earned her self two game points and smashed the first one into the wrong side of the net from a very easy position.
She played a brilliant winner around the net on the next point and screamed “c’mon”.
Keys has bounced right back and tied it 5-5 with Swiatek to serve.
Keys has pumped her fist to her coaching pod after breaking Swiatek’s serve and denying her yet another chance to win the set.
Keys will serve next at 4-5 in the first set. Swiatek will be frustrated by her inability to put this set away.
Swiatek will now serve for the first set after Keys battled hard and won that service game.
There are chants for both players as well. They are both highly regarded at Melbourne Park.
Swiatek leads 5-3.
Swiatek has held serve again, despite a double-fault, and she is only one game from the first set.
If Keys can’t hold her, the American will go a set down.
Keys is a little frustrated after putting herself in some bad places against Swiatek and it cost her as she again dropped her serve.
Swiatek is serving at 4-2 in the first set.
The roof has also closed due to the threat of rain again.
Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka is one win from achieving Australian Open history after breezing past best friend Paula Badosa to reach another final.
After falling 2-0 behind, Sabalenka bludgeoned her way to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Badosa on the back of an extraordinary 32 winners.
The world No.1 is bidding to win a third consecutive women’s singles title in Melbourne, which would be the first time anyone has achieved that feat since Martina Hingis from 1997-99. The only other women to win three straight Australian Open women’s singles titles are Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990) and Monica Seles (1991-1993).
“I have goosebumps [thinking about it]. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my team – they’re able to put myself in such a situation,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s a privilege. If I’m able to put my name into history, it will mean a lot. It will mean the world to me. It’s been a dream. I mean, I couldn’t even dream about that, to be honest.
“First, I was dreaming to win at least one grand slam. Now, I have this opportunity. It’s incredible. I’m going to go out and leave everything I have, in the final.”
Sabalenka is in a back and forth battle with Polish superstar Iga Swiatek for the No.1 ranking, but moves back in front in the live rankings with this victory.
The 26-year-old will need to win the title to retain top spot if Swiatek wins the second semi-final over American Madison Keys, whom she leads 4-1 head-to-head.
Sabalenka was a runaway train once she forced her way back on top, and the end was nigh once Badosa sent down consecutive double faults to hand over the break in the third game of the second set.
Another Badosa double fault left her a break point down again two games later, and Sabalenka throttled a crosscourt forehand winner to storm 4-1 up.
It was a tough night for the Spaniard, who also took a tumble early in the second set and fell face-first into the court before offering a thumbs up to Sabalenka.
Their strong friendship was evidenced when she shared a laugh in the locker room 15 minutes after the match.
“I think after a couple of battles against each other, we spoke and we decided to put it aside,” Sabalenka said.
“She wants it badly. We both want it badly. It’s our dream. Here, we [are] opponents. No matter [what happens] on the court, we’ll be friends after our matches.
“It’s tough to do [but] we agreed on that. I think we’re doing it pretty well. I hope she’s still my friend. I mean, I’m sure she [will] hate me for the next hour, or day or two. I can handle that.
“After that, I think we’re back to being friends. Back to going out together, shopping.”
Four games, four breaks. The Nine commentators are asking if this is nerves.
It is certainly something, as neither player has shown any comfort with their serve in the first four games.
Swiatek has now broken that trend as she held serve in the fifth game.
Swiatek leads 5-4.
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