Madison Keys claimed her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in an intense final on Saturday. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, came in as the favorite after a dominant tournament run, while Keys reached the final after stunning top seed Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.
The two had faced off five times before, with Sabalenka winning four of those encounters. Both players entered the final on 11-match winning streaks, but Keys delivered the performance of her career to overcome the defending champion.
Sabalenka took the opening set 6-3 with her powerful serves and aggressive play. However, Keys responded strongly in the second set, using her sharp forehands and solid serving to dominate and win 6-2, leveling the match.
In the decisive final set, both players fought hard, trading games and keeping the score tied until 5-5. Keys then broke Sabalenka’s serve to take a 6-5 lead and held her nerve in the final game, securing the championship with a 7-5 set victory.
The win marked a historic moment for Keys, who overcame one of the toughest opponents on tour to lift her maiden Grand Slam trophy.
