In an electrifying U.S. Open semi-final clash, second seed Aryna Sabalenka executed a stunning comeback to overcome Madison Keys, with a final score of 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5), denying the fervent home crowd the all-American women’s final they had eagerly anticipated.
Sabalenka is now poised to inflict more heartache on U.S. tennis enthusiasts in Saturday’s final, where she will face Coco Gauff. Gauff earned her place in the final by defeating Karolina Muchova with a score of 6-4, 7-5, in a match interrupted for nearly an hour due to an environmental activist’s protest in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The capacity crowd, waving U.S. flags and filled with anticipation, had every reason to believe they were getting the final they desired when Keys swept Sabalenka aside with a bagel in the opening set and took a 5-3 lead in the second set, serving for a spot in the championship match.
However, Sabalenka had other plans.
Her remarkable fightback commenced with a crucial break of Keys, narrowing the score to 5-4 and prolonging the contest. After two intense tie-breaks, Sabalenka ultimately walked off the court, securing her second Grand Slam final appearance of the season.
This showdown featured two of the most powerful hitters in women’s tennis, with Keys initially seizing control. The 17th seed harnessed the energy of the home crowd, unleashing a barrage of winners and breaking Sabalenka three times to capture the opening set 6-0.
Keys continued her strong play, breaking the Australian Open champion once more for a 2-1 lead in the second set, leaving Sabalenka visibly frustrated, venting her emotions and smashing her racquet in frustration.
However, it was during the crucial moments, with Keys serving for a place in the final, that Sabalenka summoned her renowned resilience.
Sabalenka secured her first break of the match, leading to a tie-break which she convincingly won 7-1, pushing the contest into an unforeseen third set.
As tension mounted, the quality of the match soared, with both players exchanging breaks in a tightly contested third set. The match ultimately hinged on a super tie-breaker, which Sabalenka dominated with a 10-5 victory.
For Keys, who played in the last all-American women’s final in 2017 (losing to Sloane Stephens), this defeat marked a missed opportunity to return to the championship match on her home soil, leaving her in tears.
Reflecting on her journey, an emotional Keys stated, “I think everyone at the start of the tournament would obviously be really, really excited to be in the semis. Right now, it sucks. I just think being able to take this and turn it into a positive is really possible. There is still a lot to be proud of and still tons of tennis to play this season.”
