Madison Keys shocked the tennis world when she dumped Iga Swiatek out of the Australian Open at the semi-final stage.
The duo played out a classic encounter on Rod Laver Arena that stretched late into the night, before the American finally toppled her opponent 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8).
Keys has now booked a meeting with the reigning two-time Aus Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who had earlier brushed past Paula Badosa in straight sets.
Having already upset the world no.2 in the semis, Keys will now be looking to claim her maiden grand slam title against the imposing Belarusian.
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Who is Madison Keys’ husband? Bjorn Fratangelo helping American during Aus Open surge
The victory over Swiatek saw Keys achieve a career high-point Down Under as she had never previously made it through to a grand slam decider in the country.
The 29-year-old’s previous best finish in Australia was at the semi-final stage, where on two separate occasions she lost out to Serena Williams and Ash Barty.
Keys has played in 49 grand slams so far and has only reached the final once before.
This was on home soil when the big-serving star faced off against her compatriot Sloane Stephens in 2017.
Keys was the heavy favourite for the clash but came unstuck against her unseeded opponent as she was beaten in straight sets.
Yet Keys has experienced a career renaissance in Australia and is high on confidence after she has repeatedly knocked off more fancied opponents on her route to the final.
She beat 10th seed Danielle Collins in the third round, before shocking world no. 6 Elena Rybakina in the last 16.
Keys then fought back from a set down to beat Elina Svitolina which booked her a meeting against Swiatek, who had previously only lost 14 games on her path through to the semis.
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Keys’ success comes in the wake of her husband becoming her coach just over 18 months ago.
Bjorn Fratangelo, who married Keys last year after seven years of dating, was himself a former tennis player.
“She had some tough losses, and she came home and asked for my help,” Fratangelo told ATPTour.com in 2023.
“And the first thing I said was like, ‘Are you sure? Because we’ve done a great job of kind of staying out of each other’s careers over the seven years we’ve been together.'”
The Pittsburgh-native reached a career-high ranking of world no.99 in 2016, while he previously won the boys’ singles title at the French Open.
This achievement in 2011 saw him become the first American to conquer Roland Garros as a junior since John McEnroe in the late 70s.
“Having to admit that he’s right isn’t always my favourite thing,” Keys said when revealing the dynamics behind their winning partnership out on the courts.
“It happens a lot more than I want it to, but I’m learning to just kind of nod and he just knows that I’m saying that he’s right.
“It’s great that we get to see each other all the time. He used to play as well, so we would go for long periods of time without seeing each other, so it’s wonderful seeing him.”