The excitement was palpable as we teetered on the brink of witnessing a thrilling showdown between the world’s top two players in the Australian Open final. However, Madison Keys had other plans that captivated the audience.

In a gripping semifinal match, Keys displayed remarkable resilience by saving a match point and ultimately defeating the second-ranked Iga Swiatek with scores of 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(10-8). This victory not only showcases her fighting spirit but also secures her place in the final of a Grand Slam for the second time, with her previous experience being a runner-up finish at the 2018 U.S. Open. Now, she is poised to face a formidable challenge at Melbourne Park.

As she aims for her first major title, Keys will confront the tournament’s top seed, Aryna Sabalenka. This matchup marks their sixth encounter, with Sabalenka currently holding a favorable lead of 4-1 in their head-to-head series. Keys’ sole victory occurred on the grass courts of Berlin in 2021, where she triumphed in a closely contested match. Their recent showdown at the 2023 U.S. Open was particularly intense, with Keys nearly clinching a straight-set victory before ultimately falling short in a nail-biting finish. They last met in Beijing last fall, where Sabalenka secured a win with scores of 6-4, 6-3.

Sabalenka enters this final as the clear favorite, continuing her dominant performance throughout the tournament. As a two-time defending champion in Australia, she has shown exceptional skill and determination, advancing to the final after triumphing over a series of tough competitors, including Sloane Stephens, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Clara Tauson, Mirra Andreeva, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Paula Badosa. While she has displayed impressive form, it is notable that she has not yet faced anyone ranked higher than No. 12, and she encountered challenges in three of her initial six rounds, including dropping a set to Pavlyuchenkova.

This final will showcase a transformed Madison Keys, who has made significant changes to her equipment during the offseason. The 29-year-old has adopted a new racket and strings, resulting in an impressive record of 13-1 with her updated setup. After winning the title in Adelaide just weeks before, Keys has extended her winning streak to an impressive 11 matches, overcoming tough opponents like Ann Li, Elena Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and Iga Swiatek. This lineup includes formidable players such as an Australian Open finalist (Collins), a Wimbledon champion (Rybakina), a former world No. 3 (Svitolina), and a five-time major winner (Swiatek), reflecting her resilience and skill.

While Sabalenka possesses a wealth of experience, it appears that Keys has demonstrated extraordinary mental fortitude throughout this tournament. If she was susceptible to mental pressure, it likely would have been evident during her match against Swiatek. Instead, Keys has emerged as one of the most impressive players of the fortnight and arguably throughout the entire month.

With her power and newfound consistency, Keys stands out as one of the few players capable of matching Sabalenka blow for blow. The critical factor has always been her ability to maintain consistent performance throughout her career. Now, with this newfound steadiness, it could very well be the pivotal moment for Keys to claim her first major title.

Pick: Keys in 3