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Madison Keys vs. Aryna Sabalenka: 3 facts about the finalists of the Australian Open

WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s appearance in the Australian Open final was a foregone conclusion, but Madison Keys’ win over Iga Swiatek was a complete surprise.

Por: Karla Sofía Espinoza January 23, 2025

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2025 Madison Keys Aryna Sabalenka — Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys look to make Australian Open history / Photo: via Ausopen.com

Aryna Sabalenka has set the stage for her third consecutive Australian Open title. Next Saturday, she will face American Madison Keys, ranked 14th in the world, in an unexpected battle for the women’s final of the first Grand Slam of 2025.

With this final, Sabalenka will consolidate her position as WTA No. 1, while Keys is guaranteed to move up a few places in the rankings.

For Keys, it is the second Grand Slam final of her career: the first was at the 2017 US Open, where she lost to compatriot Sloane Stephens.

The 29-year-old Keys has always been tipped to take Williams’ place in the US, but injuries have prevented her from playing to her full potential.

While Sabalenka, 26, has always impressed with her powerful strokes, her mental fragility prevented her from excelling on the court until four years ago.

They have met 5 times since 2018, with Keys winning just once, on grass, in 2021.

Interesting facts

Although their careers have taken different paths, the finalists have some points in common.

Nike: both players belong to the staff of players who wear Nike clothing and footwear, In fact in the tournament they have played with the same model of dress, but in different colors: Sabalenka in two shades of yellow, and Keys, in two shades of turquoise.

Forehand: the most powerful stroke of both in the forehand. With this stroke, they execute winners of 140 km/h (87 mph).

History: in this match, each hopes to make history, Sabalenka is looking for her third consecutive championship. The last to do so was Martina Hingis (97,98,99). And Keys hopes to win her first Grand Slam championship.

Electrifying semifinals at the Australian Open

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The battle between Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa in the semifinal of the Australian Open 2025 was a spectacle of pure energy and talent. From the first serve, both players demonstrated their ability to dominate the game, with powerful strokes and a strategy based on the serve.

However, Sabalenka, known for her aggressiveness, dominated the crucial points, hitting 26 winners and committing 18 unforced errors. Faced with Sabalenka’s power, Badosa began to falter and ended up surrendering 6/4 and 6/2 after 1 hour and 28 minutes of play.

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Very different was the duel between Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek, which lasted three sets and two and a half hours. The crowd’s emotions went back and forth as breakpoints and even a matchpoint for Swiatek before the tiebreak.

The third set required a match-tiebreak that went to 10/8. Keys prevailed 5/7 6/1 7/6.

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