What’s wrong Sabalenka? You just lost to Madison Keys. That’s a real surprise. No wonder you cried.
Before the 2025 Australian Open, Keys had never lived up to her potential since Keys was blown away by Sloane Stephens in the championship match of the 2017 U.S. Open. Madison won only three games that Saturday in New York. It was almost as if Keys wasn’t there.
PRESSURE HITS SABALENKA HEAD-ON
This Saturday, Keys had Aryna Sabalenka’s number. It was close at the end, except when the pressure hit Sabalenka head-on in the last two games of the match.
The match never should have reached that point. The first set was a wipeout in which Sabalenka never really found her game. And Keys had that huge forehand of hers working full-speed.
It seemed like Sabalenka was just trying to prove that she could beat Keys at her own game. That was enough to get Keys started on a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory.
KEYS NOW A NEW SUPERSTAR?
With this one written in the books, Keys may be a different player the next few years. What could be bigger than a Grand Slam title? Maybe a second one?
It could belong to Keys for the taking in Paris. She has the shots.
And also now maybe the willpower to upend everyone in another Grand Slam.
Keys outlasted Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, but the last three games in that one should have belonged to Swiatek.
Swiatek held a match point and then double-faulted away the regulation game to allow Keys to get to the match tiebreaker that ended the Australian Open for the Polish star.
It seemed like everyone wanted to help Keys, even her husband who sat only a few feet off the court as her coach.
THIS TIME MADISON KEYS DIDN’T WASTE TIME
Keys was in a hurry this time when the final approached its end as Sabalenka’s netted forehand gave Keys a double match point. Keys didn’t have to depend on another match tiebreaker this time.
She ended Sabalenka’s dream for a third straight Australian Open title when she allowed Keys to end the night with a forehand cross-court.
Keys had just finished off the top two players in the women’s game. Now, the watch light is on Keys.
Has Keys really opened the door to true greatness.
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James Beck (843-795-3584, h), (843-412-3765, c)
James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.
See his latest columns on all of the Grand Slams at ubitennis.net/author/james-beck or worldtennismagazine.com
Beck writes for USTA Southern. See his latest article at https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/southern/wilmington-s-scott-receives-pro-of-the-year-award.html#tab=tournaments.