Madison Keys outlasted Iga Swiatek in a thrilling three-set contest to reach the Australian Open final, where she will face two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Keys had to save match point in the deciding set before coming through a first-to-10 tie-break for a 5-7 6-1 7-6 (10-8) victory in two hours and 37 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Both players showed big-match nerves as they struggled on serve throughout the opening set, which began with four straight breaks before Swiatek secured the first hold with a crashing volley five games in.

After finally holding her serve at the fourth attempt, Keys battled from 5-2 down to 5-5, only for Swiatek to produce a smooth hold before breaking once again to take the lead.

However, it was Keys who settled quickest in the second set, reeling off five straight games as more mistakes crept into Swiatek's game. 

Madison channeling everyone's thoughts right now.@Madison_Keys #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/CNlSsDxW7z

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2025

The five-time grand slam champion made 10 unforced errors and double faulted twice as she lost the second set 6-1 in a rapid 27 minutes, only hitting three winners.

A long wait before the decider seemed to frustrate Keys, who continued to excel on her own serve once Swiatek returned from the locker room, but the American squandered a huge opportunity at 4-3 up, failing to convert two break points. 

It looked like that might prove costly when Swiatek broke with a wonderful passing winner to go 6-5 ahead before bringing up match point on her own serve. However, the Pole could only find the net and a subsequent double fault saw the match go to a deciding tie-break. 

Keys stayed close enough to Swiatek throughout the tie-break, hitting two crisp forehand winners and a searing ace to take it to 8-8, having previously been 7-5 behind. A miscued return and a long backhand from Swiatek then brought an end to her hopes of a first Australian Open crown, with Keys advancing to Saturday's final.   

11 - Madison Keys is the player with the most main draw appearances needed to make their first Women’s Singles final at the Australian Open in the Open Era (11, equalling Caroline Wozniacki). Arrival. #AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/vww4lFh983

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 23, 2025

Data Debrief: Long wait over for Keys

Keys has had to be patient in her bid to return to this stage, having lost her only previous grand slam final in 2017 against compatriot Sloane Stephens at the US Open.

Her wait of eight years between her first two major finals is the longest recorded by any woman in the Open Era, surpassing Amelie Mauresmo's seven-year gap.

Keys will hope that is a good omen. Mauresmo lost her first grand slam final at the Australian Open in 1999, only to win the Melbourne Park slam on her second showpiece appearance in 2006.

As for Swiatek, she ended the contest with zero aces and 22 winners, with seven double faults and an uncharacteristic 40 unforced errors. Her wait for a first AO final appearance goes on.