Belarusian tennis ace Aryna Sabalenka is set to retain her position as World No. 1, regardless of the outcome of her Australian Open final clash against Madison Keys. This was guaranteed after second seed Iga Swiatek fell to Keys in a dramatic semi-final. Sabalenka currently leads the rankings with 9,656 points, well ahead of Swiatek’s 8,120 points.
Sabalenka’s Shot at History
The 26-year-old Sabalenka is on the brink of a historic achievement. A victory in the final would make her the first woman this century to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis between 1997 and 1999. It would also extend her winning streak at Melbourne Park to an impressive 21 matches.
Sabalenka would join an elite group of women—Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles—to have achieved a three-peat at the Australian Open.
Keys: The Underdog with Momentum
Madison Keys, the 19th seed, has already made waves by defeating Swiatek in a nerve-wracking semi-final. The American, who saved eight break points and a match point in a tense final set, is now guaranteed a spot in the top 10. A victory on Sunday would mark her maiden Grand Slam title and a career-high ranking.
While Keys has reached a Slam final before—losing to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open—this is only her second appearance in a Grand Slam final. In contrast, this will be Sabalenka’s fifth Grand Slam final, underscoring her experience on the big stage.
Head-to-Head Record
Sabalenka and Keys have faced each other five times, with Sabalenka leading the rivalry 4-1. Their most recent encounter was on Beijing’s hard courts in 2024, where Sabalenka emerged victorious. Keys’s lone win against Sabalenka came on grass in Berlin in 2021.
What to Expect in the Final
Both players are known for their aggressive, power-packed games. Keys predicted, “Definitely some big-hitting. Not a lot of long points.” Sabalenka acknowledged Keys’s form, saying, “She’s playing incredible tennis. She’s very aggressive, serving well, and moving well. It’s going to be a great battle.”
Historical Context
Three consecutive Grand Slam wins is a rare achievement, accomplished only three times this century:
- Justine Henin at Roland Garros (2005-2007).
- Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros (2020-2022).
- Serena Williams at the US Open (2012-2014).
Sabalenka now has the opportunity to add her name to this prestigious list.
The Stage is Set
The final promises to be a thrilling battle between two power players. Sabalenka aims to cement her dominance, while Keys looks to make history with her maiden Grand Slam title. Tennis fans can expect a high-octane contest filled with big serves and aggressive rallies.
