Madison Keys of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, early Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) AP

But that could well change on Saturday, when Keys will take on two-time defending Australian Open champion Sabalenka in her second slam final having produced a stunning upset of Iga Swiatek. She is confident she has learned from her US Open experience, saying with a smile: “I’ve obviously thought of that match endlessly for the past eight years.

Veteran Madison Keys took down No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek in a thrilling three-set match (5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8)) in the Australian Open semifinal on Thursday to advance to just the second Grand Slam final of her career.