Madison Keys is back on the big stage at the Australian Open, securing her place in the semifinals for the third time after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This match, held at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, showcased the determination and skill of the 29-year-old American, who is now on an impressive 10-match winning streak.
Keys made her way to this semifinal showdown with strong performances, including victories over two former Australian Open finalists, Danielle Collins and Elina Rybakina. Her momentum built after she captured the title at the Adelaide tournament earlier this month by triumphing over fellow American Jessica Pegula.
“To be here 10 years later in the semifinals again, I’m really proud of myself and really excited to play another semifinal here in Melbourne,” Keys expressed after her win. She has previously reached the semifinals at the Australian Open twice, with her best results coming back in 2015 and 2022.
Despite struggling initially against Svitolina, who had previously pressured Keys and taken the first set convincingly, Keys adapted her game with characteristic aggression. After dropping serve to Svitolina due to unforced errors, she found her rhythm midway through the second set.
“I felt like I just had to start playing a little bit more aggressive and try to get to the net a little bit quicker,” she explained. This change allowed her to take charge of the match, as she won 23 of the 26 points she played at the net and smashed 49 winners overall, demonstrating her power and precision.
Going forward, she will meet either the second-seeded Iga Swiatek or Emma Navarro, who are set to compete later today. “I’m really excited to go and get to watch Emma and Ben [Shelton] later today. I think Emma and Iga is going to be really competitive,” she noted, showing her eagerness for the upcoming matches.
Keys’ performance now marks her seventh Grand Slam semifinal, reinforcing her status as one of the premier players on the circuit. Having previously finished as the runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Open, she is now striving for her first Grand Slam title, which would mark a pinnacle in her distinguished career.
Reflecting on her evolution as a player over the years, Keys remarked, “I think I played a little bit smarter for sure. Probably a little bit less fearless.” Her tactical adjustments and composure under pressure have been instrumental in her recent successes, showcasing the growth she has made since first breaking onto the scene nearly ten years ago.
Although Svitolina started strong, maintaining excellent depth and exploiting Keys’ early missteps, the American's resilience shone through. Svitolina had to contend with Keys’ explosive game once she found her footing. Having faced Keys twice before at Grand Slam events and winning both, Svitolina's hopes were dashed this time as she fell short of moving past the quarterfinal stage.
With two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also progressing to the women’s semifinals against Paula Badosa, the competition is heating up at this year's Australian Open. Fans are eager to see if Madison Keys can navigate through this next stage and potentially secure the coveted title.
The atmosphere at Rod Laver Arena electrified as spectators witnessed Keys reclaim her place among the tournament's elite players. This pivotal semifinal match will be not only another test of her skill but also of her resolve, as she aims for what has so far eluded her: Grand Slam glory.