At the 2015 Australia Open, the 19-year-old American Madison Keys made her first Grand Slam semi-final. She beat Venus Williams to get there and was denied a appearance in the final by the eventual champion Serena Williams.
On Thursday, 10 years later, the 29-year-old Key broke her path in her first Australian Open Final, defeating the world’s second-largest Iga Swiatek with the power and mercy that Swiatek could not defeat. Seeded in 19th place and playing the best tennis of her life, Key overcomes all the challenges Swieatok threw at her, showing up in a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) victory in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
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Swiatek cruised the tournament before meeting Key, dropped a zero set, losing a total of 14 games in five matches. However, Keys challenged Swiatek with her powers, destroying seven aces and a stunning 36 winners, not bringing Swiatek into rhythm. Keys lifted Swiatek to the limits in the first set, giving Swiatek the first real challenge throughout the entire tournament. As Swiatek won the set it felt like she finally gained control of the match.
Key then ruled Swiatek absolutely in the second set. It’s rare that Swiatek is barely competitive on any set against any player, but this was one of those times. The key relentlessly closed the sweeek at every opportunity, overwhelming her with the fast speed of her return. She led Swiatek 5-0 in just 18 minutes and scored the set in just 26 minutes.
After two stunning sets, the third ending in every tiebreak for the winner was perfect. The Keys and Swiatek fought at all points, but it seemed Swiatek could easily win with an early 5-3 lead. However, the key will not disappear. She chased Swiatek and didn’t let her go too far until she was eventually tied up 7-7. She scored the seventh ace of the match 8-8 Tie Swiatek, earning the 10th and final points on Swiatek’s forced error.
After meeting Swiatek online, Keys collapsed to the ground, crying, and sobs on the towel. Saturday’s final match was her second Grand Slam Final in her career, and her first Grand Slam Final in eight years.
Keys never scored a major and she will have a hard time passing No. 1 Seedalina Sabalenka to send Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in the 86th minute to make the final. Sabalenka, who is seeking Australia’s third consecutive open trophy, also deals with power, and like Swiatek, there was a relatively easy path to the finals. She dropped only one set in six games she played leading in the final, beating 27, 14 and 11 seeds. But if Key can play tennis like the one she played on Thursday using her powers wisely, she has a real shot by defeating the reality queen in Melbourne Park.
The tennis landscape has changed dramatically in the decade since Keys lost her Maiden Grand Slam semi-final in Melbourne. But in some respects it hasn’t changed at all. Whether Serena Williams or Sabalenka, there will always be a powerful enemy to defeat. But now, with 10 years of tennis under her belt, Key has the ability to challenge her opponents with all her tools (both physical and mental). In the final on Saturday, she controls her destiny.
