Madison Keys challenged Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final. While Sabalenka chased the hat trick, Keys had the chance to win her first Grand Slam title.
A sensation occurred in the final of the Australian Open 2025. Madison Keys, number 19 in the world, beat top favorite Aryna Sabalenka (6:3, 2:6 and 7:5) and won her first Grand Slam title.
Keys started the game furiously and won the first set 6:3 because Sabalenka lost her own serve game. In the second set, the Belarusian favorite, who had won the title for the past two years, was back to herself, dominated the game at will and won 6-2. In the final sentence, things initially went back and forth unspectacularly. No player allowed a break. But with 6:5 for Keys, the outsider went on the offensive and ultimately won with a 7:5. Sabalenka was beside herself, dismantling her racket while Keys shed tears.
After more than seven years without appearing in the final of a Grand Slam, the 29-year-old tournament surprise, who had already sensationally defeated Iga Świątek in the semi-finals, was able to crown herself.
Aryna Sabalenka 3:6, 6:2, 5:7 Madison Keys
3rd set – Sabalenka makes a blatant mistake at the start, Keys leads 15:0. And with an outstanding return she goes 30-0. Two more points until the title. Sabalenka shortened the score to 30:15, but a long rally ends with Keys’ point. Two championship points for the American! But the first ends with a mistake by Keys after Sabalenka’s strong serve. And the second? That’s it! This is the title for Madison Keys, who wins the Australian Open! Craziness. Sabalenka dismantles her racket in frustration. 5:7
3rd set – Keys is on serve again, trying to dictate the game. The American defeated the favorite with two forehand winners. 5:6
3rd set – If Keys wins this game, she wins the set and with it the Australian Open. But Sabalenka remains calm and powerful on her own serve. She wants to force the tie-breaker. At 40:15 for Sabalenka, Keys wins a longer rally, but it stays that way. 5:5
3rd set – Sabalenka hits good returns, but Keys tries to stay powerful and use her serve. She takes a very offensive approach, sometimes too offensive. But at 40:15 she has two balls for play. But Sabalenka gets the first, then Keys gets the second. The score is: 4:5
3rd set – Sabalenka lays down Keys here, has a calm build-up and wins without losing any points. A sparkling clean service game. 4:4
3rd sentence – There is little to tell, this sentence is quick. Few long rallies. We have 7 games and just over 20 minutes. Keys clenches her fist and cheers toward her box as she finishes with a winner. 3:4
3rd sentence – And Sabalenka finds the right answer. 3:3
3rd set – No break again. Keys sends Sabalenka from corner to corner and is clearly having more fun again. 2:3
3rd sentence – It’s going to be a real crime thriller here. Sabalenka remains calm again on her own serve. 2:2
3rd set – We really have a thrilling duel here in the decisive set. Sabalenka tries to get the break with aggressive returns. The Belarusian plays in a multi-faceted way here, Keys can only react at times. But a longer rally now goes to the American, who is fighting back after a 0:30 start. And with a powerful serve she refines the game. 1:2
3rd set – Sabalenka remains largely error-free on her own serve. 1:1
3rd set – Keys does this very well at the start and takes the game to zero. She finishes with an ace. 0:1