Madison Keys Shocks Iga Swiatek to Reach Australian Open Final

American Madison Keys will meet two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final on Saturday, after Keys shocked world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to win their semifinal Thursday night in three engrossing sets 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8).

Keys pressured Swiatek's service games

Swiatek has been used to things going her way on serve this tournament. Coming into the semifinal, Swiatek had been broken only twice in five matches and had been utterly dominant on her serve.

Keys stayed calm in the big, clutch moments

In a seesawing third set, both players were holding serve with relative ease. That is until the eighth and ninth games of the set, with Swiatek serving down 3-4. Keys had a 15-40 advantage and two break points up her sleeve, but Swiatek, the five-time Slam winner, reeled her in. Clutch.

Keys knows she can hang on if it's uncomfortable

Speaking in her news conference after the win, Keys mentioned her 2017 US Open final loss to Sloane Stephens. She said it was a match she has replayed in her head constantly, but was also the catalyst for a shift in her mentality toward nerves and big moments.

Keys will face Sabalenka in the women's final Saturday.