Madison Keys broke down in tears after reaching the Australian Open final (Image: X/Eurosport)
Madison Keys admitted she felt she ‘blacked out’ at one point before reaching the final after breaking down in tears in emotional scenes in Melbourne.
Keys recovered from a set down to beat the world No. 2 in a closely-fought encounter at the Rod Laver Arena, winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8).
She twice saved a match point against the Pole to seal her place in the final for the first time at the third attempt, having also reached the semi-finals in 2015 and 2021.
The 29-year-old was visibly emotional on the court as she kneeled into a squat position while processing her stunning comeback against .
She then walked over to her chair and began sobbing into her towel before composing herself for the post-match interview on court.
Asked if it feels good to be the final, Keys said: “Yeah, I’m still trying to catch up to everything that’s happening. I’m in the finals! Woo!
“I mean that match was such a high level. She played so well and I was just fighting to stay in it. The third was just a battle.
“To be able to standing here saying I’m in the finals feels amazing and I’m so excited I get to be here on Saturday.”
Madison Keys spoke of her joy at making the Australian Open final (Image: Getty)
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Keys recovered from a glaring miss in the opening set, which she went on to lose 7-5, after spurning the chance to convert a break point with a smash at the net.
And afterwards the world No. 14, who will move into the top 10 next week regardless of whether she wins or loses this weekend, admitted she felt the heat and couldn’t recall if Swiatek had a match point.
“There were so many big points and break point chances that you don’t always get,” she said.
Addressing Swiatek’s match point, she added: “Did she have a match point? I feel like I blacked out. At one point I was just out there running around.”
Madison Keys will face Aryna Sabalanka in the women’s final (Image: Getty)
The American will play in Saturday’s final in Australia, after the top seed breezed past Spain’s Paula Badosa in straight sets.
The Belarusian will be the favourite to land her third successive title Down Under after becoming the fourth women’s singles player to win 20 consecutive matches with a simple 6-4, 6-2 success over Badosa.
Sabalenka has also won four of their five meetings on the ATP Tour, with their most high-profile clash coming at the US Open semi-finals in 2023.
But Keys will be motivated in what is only her second Grand Slam final appearance. She lost to Sloane Stephens in the final at Flushing Meadows in 2017 and will be itching to end her long wait for a Slam.