“I just think being able to take this and turn it to a positive is really possible.” Madison Keys was heartbroken after her 2023 US Open semifinal loss against Aryna Sabalenka. More than a year ago, the 29-year-old and former World No.7 tried to up a fight against the Belarusian but couldn’t overcome her. Ultimately, the Tiger beat her 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5). But guess what? That loss may have worked wonders for the American and first-time Australian Open finalist, who will meet Sabalenka once again on Saturday. This time, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to fight for the coveted Major trophy.

This season, Keys has been in a different rhythm. Firstly, she won the Adelaide International a few weeks ago and then entered the Happy Slam with a sensational form. It saw her clinch back-to-back victories before making it to the last four. Her face-off against five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek was a pure cliffhanger. While Swiatek was a fan favorite, before the SF round, Keys made her struggle on the court as she eventually reigned supreme in the battle of nerves. With a score line of 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8), she made it to the title clash down under.

The encounter against Swiatek was a testament to Keys’ revamped mindset and intensity. But what fueled this newfound approach in her? During a press conference before the face-off against Sabalenka, the American revealed that her 2023 US Open defeat to the Belarusian played a key role in altering her style of play for the good. Per Keys, “After I lost to Aryna at the US Open, I felt like I tried to play safe and I wasn’t playing how I wanted to in the big moments. That felt so bad,” and then she realized “if I can go out and do what I want to do and really just be uncomfortable at times and go for it and play the way I play my best tennis, and I lose, then I can walk away and say, ‘Okay, I did my best, she beat me, that’s fine’”.

“I didn’t want to be in the same situation where I looked back and thought, ‘Man, I should have gone for it.’ I didn’t want to have any regrets for not really laying it all out there.” she concluded.

Keys also showered praising words on Sabalenka ahead of their anticipated title clash on Saturday. She said, “Her ability to always go for it, no matter what the score is, is impressive.” Both these WTA pros have met each other five times. Sabalenka is currently leading the h2h tally 4-1. In short, she’s a clear favorite heading into the final.

Speaking more of the Belarusian, she’s also got a big chance to repeat history in this edition of the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena!

Aryna Sabalenka can match Martina Hingis’ rare, 26-year-old Australian Open milestone

Nearly three decades ago, Swiss tennis legend Martina Hingis accomplished a unique feat down under. From 1997 to 1999, the five-time Grand Slam winner succeeded in clinching back-to-back three Australian Open titles. After her, no other WTA player has achieved this distinction. But now, Aryna Sabalenka is on the brink of replicating it. How? Well, she’s already won the AO trophy twice, in 2023 and 2024. On Saturday, she will have the opportunity to pull off a threepeat.

However, the World No.1 didn’t even know she had this golden chance in the first place! Till the end of last season, she was clueless of Hingis’ record. It was only before the start of her 2025 season with Brisbane International that she got to know about it. Sharing her confession, Sabalenka revealed, “Honestly, I didn’t know about that till probably few days ago when I saw, I don’t know how we say, Twitter tweet. Someone posted, whatever, saying that it’s been a while since someone won three Australian Opens in a row. I mean, it’s a little bit cool to achieve such an incredible goal, dream of so many young players.”

In case she achieves this feat, Sabalenka will join several elite names who have won three successive Majors in general. For example, Belgian’s Justine Henin ruled the Roland Garros from 2005 to 2007 and Serena Williams owned the Flushing Meadows between 2012 and 2014. In fact, Sabalenka’s contemporary and rival, Iga Swiatek, is on the verge of winning her fourth straight French Open this season. She’s already won it in 2022, 2023, and 2024. When the Belarusian steps on the court on Saturday, she will look to stamp her Australian Open dominance with a win over Madison Keys.

The American will simply look to clinch her first-ever singles Grand Slam. But it won’t be an easy task against Sabalenka. What are your thoughts going into the epic showdown at Rod Laver Arena? Who will lift that coveted trophy in Melbourne? Let us know in the comments below.