<p>Madison Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/swiatek-storms-into-semis-keys-up-next-23470064" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Iga Swiatek</strong></a> in a nail-biter and set up an Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 19th seed battled through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the World No.2, eventually winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8).&nbsp;</p>
<p>Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek had not dropped her serve since the first round but was broken eight times by Keys, who saved a match point on her way to edging a titanic battle.</p>
<h2>Tears of joy for Madison&nbsp;</h2>
<p>It will be the American&rsquo;s first final in Melbourne, and only her second in Slams, and she broke down in tears after finally getting over the line in 2hr 35min.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/she-ll-hate-me-for-a-day-or-two-but-i-can-handle-that-23470780" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">&lsquo;She&rsquo;ll hate me for a day or two, but I can handle that&rsquo;</a></strong></p>
<p>It was the first time an Australian Open semi-final had been decided by a third-set 10-point tiebreak. &ldquo;That match was just such a high level and she played so well,&rdquo; Keys, 29, said.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I felt like I was just fighting to stay in it and then obviously really kind of ran with the second and then the third was just a battle.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;To be able to be standing here and be in the finals is absolutely amazing and I&rsquo;m so excited that I get to be here on Saturday.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Keys confessed she couldn&rsquo;t recall much detail about the final set where she saved a match point.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;In the third set, it was just so up and down. I feel like I blacked out at some point,&rdquo; Keys smiled.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Just to be able to stay in it and just keep fighting and then a 10-point tiebreaker for a dramatic finish,&rdquo; she added.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Keys will face World No.1 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/us-open-aryna-sabalenka-beats-emma-navarro-for-second-straight-final-in-new-york-23387762" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Aryna Sabalenka</strong></a> in the final on Saturday after the Belarusian put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside to stay on track for a 26-year first, as she &nbsp;romped home 6-4, 6-2 &nbsp;at the Rod Laver Arena against the 11th seed Spaniard, earlier in the day.</p>
<h2>Final slugfest</h2>
<p>Keys acknowledged her similarities with Sabalenka&rsquo;s playing style and predicted a slugfest between two of the hardest ball-strikers in the women&rsquo;s game in Saturday&rsquo;s showpiece event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Definitely some big hitting. I think that is going to happen,&rdquo; Keys said.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Not a lot of long points, but she is obviously going for her third Aussie Open and I&rsquo;m [just] excited to get to play here,&rdquo; she added.</p>
<p><strong>01</strong><br />No. of Grand Slam finals Keys has played before this</p>
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USA’s 19th seed Madison rallies from a set down to shock five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek; sets up final with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka

Keys locks out Swiatek

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Keys locks out Swiatek

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