By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Thursday, January 23, 2025
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty
Iga Swiatek had all the answers raging through this Australian Open field falling just twice en route to the semi-finals.
Tonight, a dare Madison Keys upset Swiatek in crunch time saving match point to spark a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) comeback victory and reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
Happy Warrior: Keys Shocks Swiatek For First AO Final
It is the second time in three years that Swiatek’s Australian Open dreams have been dashed by a powerful American.
Festy Danielle Collins beat Swiatek 6-4, 6-1 in the AO 2022 semifinals, delivering one of the worst knocks of the former world No. 1’s illustrious Grand Slam career.
In that semifinal, Collins beat Swiatek with her shot.
Tonight, Keys imposed her forehand with some stunning shots down the line in crunch time.
Stumbling in key moments in the past because she pulled the trigger prematurely, tonight Keys used the power with patience. Often, Keys would wait for the right ball and then let it rip with that forward flamethrower.
At times, Keys dropped the wrecking ball right back to Swiatek, even dropping him to his knees to push the ball’s weight off his groin.
Swiatek then cited two key shots in the 29-year-old American’s comeback victory:
1. Keys hit harder and played bolder in critical spots.
2. Keys won the most free points on serve.
Although Swiatek hit her second serve harder and won more points on the second serve, Keys hit seven aces against four double faults. In contrast, Swiatek had no double faults and seven.
The fact that this was a night match and the canceled Rod Laver Arena roof was closed during the match created better serving conditions for Keys, who adopted a quick serve move this season and is getting more juice on the first serve. switching to a lighter Yonex. hang from her heavier Blade missile.
Indoor conditions also took some of the bite and height out of Swiatek’s forehand. Keys, who can still hit one of the biggest forehands in the sport when her feet are set, constantly rushed Swiatek’s forehand, sometimes cornering her on that side before sending her forehand down. the line.
“I think I probably would have won it at some point if I would have won easy points with my serve like she did,” Swiatek said. “She could always come back from serving trouble, but I didn’t serve either. So maybe that would make a difference.
“It was tight from the start. The second set for sure, it was something I wanted to forget and get back to my game…
“Still, I think I played well, but she played better. I did everything I could. I wouldn’t say, like I failed or, I don’t know, I should have won.”
Throughout her career, Keys often came across as an explosive but erratic talent who lacked a killer instinct and splashed all over the place in the highlights.
Playing with a new Yonex racket, new polyester strings, a new booster serve and new confidence, Keys has posted a WTA-best 13-1 record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in three matches .
Tonight, Keys played more calmly.
When Swiatek held match point at 6-5, an undaunted Keys rocketed a forehand back at her to save it.
After all, Swiatek ignored the eyes and failed twice. Her sixth double fault gifted the game, pushing the drama to a 10-point game.
Down 7-8 in the stroke, Keys chipped an ace and then put her arms away to break Swiatek’s backhand and seal her biggest win.
“So what made the difference? Like, this match was long, so there were a lot of different momentum shifts and a lot of different moments that I can describe,” Swiatek said. “I think in the end Madison was kind of bold with her decisions and pushed me when she needed to.
“Yes, I would say that I was not feeling as free as in previous matches to push in the important moments.”
