Sabalenka's magnificent comeback over Madison Keys secures US Open final berth

Friday, 08 September 2023 at 09:37

Aryna Sabalenka secured her first US Open final appearance with an incredible comeback victory over Madison Keys, winning 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5).

Few could have predicted Keys' remarkable campaign at Flushing Meadows, where she defeated four seeded players: Ludmila Samsonova (14th), Jessica Pegula (3rd), Marketa Vondrousova (9th), and now the world No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the fourth time this year, establishing herself as the most successful major player with a 22-3 record in majors this year, including the Australian Open title.

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With Iga Swiatek's defeat in the fourth round, Sabalenka secured the world No. 1 ranking regardless of her performance from that point forward, making her the leader of the WTA rankings starting next Monday.

The first set exceeded the expectations of the local fans, as Sabalenka struggled with errors and couldn't find answers to Keys, who was returning nearly every shot. In just 31 minutes, the American surprised the crowd with an incredible 6-0 victory over the new world No. 1.

Keys hit 12 winners and made only 5 unforced errors, while Sabalenka managed just three winners and committed 11 unforced errors. Keys displayed excellent court positioning to return her opponent's serves and won 70% of her return points.

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The second set started in a similar fashion for Sabalenka as she lost her serve in the third game. Although she immediately broke back, Keys demonstrated strength with her returns and regained her lead at 4-2.

Keys was up 5-4 and serving to win the set, but Sabalenka resisted and turned the match around with a break. Both players held their serves to force a tie-break, with Keys saving two set points against her.

The 2023 Australian Open champion showed her class in the tie-break, adding tension by taking the match to a third set. Both players went out in search of the final set. Keys secured the first break in the sixth game, and Sabalenka promptly broke back in the next.

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The match extended to a 10-point tie-break, where Sabalenka quickly took a 4-0 lead. The Belarusian managed her advantage well to close out the match 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5).

Sabalenka will seek her second Grand Slam title against the last American hope, world No. 6 Coco Gauff, who defeated Karolina Muchova in the semifinals

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TAKE A BOW, ARYNA! 💯 Down a set and 3-5, @SabalenkaA rallies to topple Madison Keys, 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (10-5), just before 1 a.m. 😱 Sabalenka will seek her second hard-court major title of the year Saturday against Coco Gauff. @LIVAUDAIS reports from the #USOpen:

5:00 AM · Sep 8, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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