Madison Keys defeats Swiatek in instant classic to reach Australian Open final

American emerges victorious with 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) victoryIn second grand slam final of career against Sabalenka

Deep in the final set of one of the most extraordinary matches of her career, the violent, destructive ball striking of Madison Keys was still in full flow. From a set down, Keys had dragged herself back into the match by brutalising every tennis ball in sight. Then she had shown her gritty resilience throughout a desperately tight third set. Whenever Iga Swiatek tried to pull away, Keys somehow forced her way back in.

One of the enduring questions surrounding Keys’ career has been whether she possesses the killer instinct and nerve to maintain her supreme shot-making under pressure in the biggest matches of her career. The answer has often been negative, but here Keys offered a supreme demonstration of her toughness as she saved a match point before emerging victorious in an instant classic, defeating a gritty Iga Swiatek to reach her first Australian Open final with a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) win over the No 2 seed.

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