Melbourne, Australia, Jan 25 (EFE).– American Madison Keys stunned two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday to earn her first Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open 2025 women’s singles title.
The 19th ranked overcame the heartbreak of her 2017 US Open final defeat by beating the world No.1, triumphing 6-3 2-6 7-5 under the lights at Rod Laver Arena after two hours and two minutes of play.
The Illinois native denied Sabalenka her third consecutive Australian Open title and, at 29 years old, became the fourth-oldest player to win her first Grand Slam.
She follows Italy’s Flavia Pennetta (US Open at 33), Britain’s Ann Jones (Wimbledon at 30), and Italy’s Francesca Schiavone (Roland Garros at 29).
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” said Keys, as she held the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. “I made my very first Grand Slam semifinal here in Melbourne, so to now have won my first Grand Slam in the same place means the absolute world to me.”
Reflecting on her 2017 loss to Sloane Stephens in Flushing Meadows, Keys said she had thought about that match countless times. “Back then, I was overwhelmed by nerves and the moment. This time, I embraced the nerves and learned to coexist with them.”
Sabalenka, arriving with a 20-match hard-court Grand Slam winning streak, struggled early. Keys dominated the first set with her powerful forehands and clever shot selection, racing to a 5-1 lead and closing the set 6-3. Sabalenka’s unforced errors—13 in total—undermined her efforts, despite flashes of brilliance.
The second set saw a rejuvenated Sabalenka, improving her first-serve accuracy to 83 percent and leveling the match with a 6-2 win. Keys, though visibly fatigued, held her nerve in the decider. At 6-5, she secured a crucial break, sealing the match with a bold winner and celebrating tearfully with her team as Sabalenka smashed her racket in frustration.
With this victory, Keys joins the ranks of great American champions, becoming the fifth US player to win the Australian Open this century. En route to the title, she defeated Ann Li, Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins (10), Elena Rybakina (6), Elina Svitolina (28), and Iga Swiatek (2). EFE
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