(Updated with declarations)
by Shrivathsa Sridhar
The American Madison Keys won the Australian Open on Saturday, her first Grand Slam title, by defeating the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, double title holder, after an undecided final (6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in 2h02).
The 14th player in the world created a surprise by dominating world number two Iga Swiatek in quick succession in the semi-finals (5-7, 6-1, 7-6) and the first at the WTA, Aryna Sabalenka, in the final, this that no player had succeeded in a Grand Slam since Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009 at Roland-Garros.
“I wanted this title for so long,” she said on the court, on the verge of tears. “I played another Grand Slam final. I didn’t know if I would be able to come back to this position, trying to win a trophy.”
“My team believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Last year was very difficult because of injuries.”
Finalist of the 2017 US Open, Madison Keys won her first “major” on Friday at the age of 29, thus preventing her opponent from succeeding Martina Hingis, the last player to have won the Australian Open in three consecutive editions, from 1997 to 1999.
“I hope I see you next year,” the Belarusian smiled as she looked at the trophy. “Even if I didn’t win this year, I will come back stronger and do my best next year.”
-“We tried our best, Madison (Keys) just played incredibly well, there was nothing I could do in that game.”
The American started her final perfectly by making the entry break before confirming to quickly lead 4-1 in the first set, finally concluded with a long line backhand.
Aryna Sabalenka regained the upper hand in the second set which she pocketed by relying on numerous drop shots which disrupted Madison Keys.
But the No. 19 seed did not weaken and, in a tight third set, ended up winning on his second match point on the opposing serve.
Thanks to her tenth title on the circuit, the second this season after Adelaide, Madison Keys will climb to 7th place in the world on Monday, thus equaling her best ranking obtained in 2016.
(Written by Vincent Daheron)
