NEW DELHI: American Madison Keys on Saturday stunned two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final to clinch her first Grand Slam title.
Keys’ triumph over world No. 1 Sabalenka, following her elimination of No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals on Thursday, makes her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat the top two WTA players at Melbourne Park. During her semifinal match, Keys also saved a match point.
Currently ranked 14th and seeded 19th, Keys was appearing in her second major final, having previously finished as the runner-up at the 2017 US Open.
Keys’ victory prevented Sabalenka from capturing what would have been her third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat last achieved by Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999, and her fourth major title overall.
More to follow…