Key events
*Sabalenka 3-6, 3-1 Keys (*denotes server) Keys needs to get back to her level in the first set – that controlled play that had Sabalenka exasperated. She makes it 30-0 with a speeding backhand but when she attempts it again two points later and it’s long, making it 30-30. Some strong second serves and there is definitely a different feeling about Sabalenka in this second set, even though she isn’t playing her best tennis.
Sabalenka 3-6, 2-1 Keys* (*denotes server) What a backhand return to start this game from Sabalenka. She follows that up with a lucky backhand pass down the line that just clips the net. She puts up the classic sorry-not-sorry apology to Keys. There is seemingly a lot more energy in her legs and her shots have a bit more variety to them forcing Key to net, Sabalenka has a break point. Under pressure Keys saves the break point twice with two big serves but Sabalenka finally breaks after Keys nets on the third break point.
*Sabalenka 3-6, 1-1 Keys (*denotes server) Huge smash from Sabalenka to make it 15-15 has Keys holding up her racquet to protect herself. The Belarusian then hits a awkward slice but Keys makes another error and the defending champion holds.
Sabalenka 3-6, 0-1 Keys* (*denotes server) Another rocky start from Sabalenka but a beautiful dropshot sees her bounce back and a beautiful groundstroke sees her get break point. But she can’t string more than three good points together after she misses a simple forehand.
All of a sudden it’s game point for the American … But Keys nets and we get a second chance for Sabalenka to break. The American looks a bit more nervous in this second set but an ace and a winner where she does well to absorb the pace of the ball means Keys holds serve.
I spoke too soon earlier. There have been feathers now spotted on the court, but neither player has seemed to mind so far.
Postbag thoughts from John:
Tumaini’s prologue was very helpful. Maybe Madison’s experience can tell if she can break Aryna early on. Can’t see any bread sticks or bagels, both are too good.
Tomorrow could Tumaini please remind his readers which type of feather it is that upsets Zverez so much.
No sight of feathers in the women’s final, which is good news for Zverev and all other feather haters but I will be sure to pass on the message.
Have any thoughts on the game at Melbourne Park you want to share? Send me an email!
Keys takes the first set 6-3 against Sabalenka
A sliced crosscourt shot from Keys is a tough one for Sabalenka to control and the Belarusian then hits a forehand into the net. But a crosscourt forehand is really well struck makes it 30-30. Keys’s level has slightly dropped but she receives a gift of a set point after Sabalenka double faults. Can Keys see it out here? She can! The American breaks to take the first set with a backhand down the line.
Sabalenka 3-5 Keys* (*denotes server) A shank forehand from Sabalenka sees her look up at the sky in frustration … But three unforced errors, including a short sliced backhand sees Sabalenka goes up 40-15. Can Sabalenka take a break back? She nets but then Keys’ backhand again goes into the net.
*Sabalenka 2-5 Keys (*denotes server) Sabalenka makes a few unforced errors before Keys hits a blistering backhand to take the set. But she misses the baseline and Sabalenka takes advantage. A forehand winner from the American takes it straight back to deuce. We go back and forth with the advantages before Sabalenka holds with a backhand winner. Keys will now serve for the set.
Sabalenka 1-5 Keys* (*denotes server) Wow! A short sliced drop shot from Keys gets her 30-0 up which sends the crowd wild. Sabalenka literally stares in shock as her inspired opponent soaks up the crowd. The American continues her powerful serves and holds. Twenty minutes gone and Sabalenka is 5-1 down!
*Sabalenka 1-4 Keys (*denotes server) Keys goes to wipe with her towel and her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, tells her to continue to be aggressive. She stumbles initially but then hits a huge forehand winner into the back of the corner. Sabalenka then hits her third double fault of the game and hands over another break point! Can Keys capitalise? Yes, Sabalenka nets her drop shot! Keys breaks again and leads 4-1 in the first set.
Sabalenka 1-3 Keys* (*denotes server) A poor forehand from Keys is the American’s first real mistake of the match. But an ace and a mistake from Sabalenka means that Keys can hold.
*Sabalenka 1-2 Keys (*denotes server) Keys is attacking Sabalenka’s forehand and goes up 15-0 but Sabalenka’s forehand cross court inside the service line is super sharp to tie it up. A huge forehand winner from Keys though leaves her opponent standing and staring, not knowing what to do. But a backhand into the net from Keys means the defending champion is on the board.
Sabalenka 0-2 Keys* (*denotes server) Sabalenka nets a backhand on Keys’ first serve and after a high volley the world No 14 makes it 40-30. Sabalenka goes wide in the final point and what an excellent service game from Keys to back up that early break.
*Sabalenka 0-1 Keys (*denotes server) Sabalenka starts with a double fault but a rocket of a forehand down the line makes it 15-15. But the Belarusian double faults again and Keys faces a break point … the American works Sabalenka into the corner and breaks the champion serve. Early unexpected nerves from Sabalenka! Has she got it out of her system?
Sabalenka will get the final underway with the serve. And play …
Both players are now out on the court after receiving warm reception from the fans, pictures have been taken and now warm-ups are starting. The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is on the side, arriving with the former Australian tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
They are now opening up the roof on the Rod Laver arena and soon both players will be making their way onto the court for the “walk of champions” in front of 14,820 fans.
Sabalenka is 4-1 against Keys, with her most memorable win against the American coming at the was the 2023 US Open semifinal. Keys led the Belarusin 6-0, 5-3 before Sabalenka came back to win 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5), preventing Keys from making the final in front of a home crowd.
I think one of the big things, after I lost to Aryna at the US Open, I felt like I tried to play safe, and I wasn’t playing how I wanted to in the big moments. That felt so bad. I just felt like if I can go out and do what I want to do and really just, again, be uncomfortable at times and just actually go for it and continue to play the way I play my best tennis, and I lose, then I can walk away and say, ‘OK, I did my best, she beat me, that’s fine.’
I didn’t want to be in the same situation where I kind of looked back at it and thought, Man, I should have gone for it. I didn’t want to have any regrets for not really laying it all out there.
Keys’s first grand slam final was a loss to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open and by repeating the feat in Australia, she has become the player with the most slam appearances between her first and second major finals (25), besting the previous mark of 24 set by Marion Bartoli and Amelie Mauresmo.
The 29-year-old is the oldest women’s singles finalist in Melbourne since the Williams sisters in 2017 and has defeated has defeated two top 10 opponents during her run to today’s final (Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek).
Paula Badosa, Sabalenka’s latest victim in the semi-final, likened playing her close friend to an unbeatable video game. “With Aryna, it’s more like winners everywhere. Sometimes you’re like, I don’t know, I’m just walking around the court because I feel like she’s playing a PlayStation.”
The world No 1 would tie the Open era record of three straight titles held by Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis with a win against Keys.
She opened her season with the title at the Brisbane International and is 11-0 so far this year.
Tumaini Carayol is at Melbourne Park and writes in his preview:
As she returns to Rod Laver Arena to battle the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Keys will walk on to the court with plenty of reasons to be nervous, with memories of her first grand-slam final experience and a painful three-sets loss to the Belarusian in the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open. But with time, introspection and 16 years of experience behind her, Keys has learned to accept the stress that comes with these lofty occasions.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to game by game coverage of the women’s singles Australian Open final.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, has 20 consecutive wins at Melbourne, winning all but two matches in straight sets. She is bidding to become the first woman to three-peat the grand slam title since Martina Hingis from 1997-1999.
Standing in her way is Madison Keys, who is fresh off eliminating Iga Swiatek in the first women’s semi-final to be decided by a 10-point tie-break. The world No 14 will be hoping all her hard work thus far leads to her maiden slam.
Sabalenka and Keys are two of the heaviest hitters in the game and we can expect a fast-paced final with plenty of fast serves and topspin forehands.
Our expected start time in Melbourne is 7.30pm AEDT / 8.30am GMT. Join me.
