Surprise on the cards? Madison Keys seals stunning first set, one away from Australian Open glory

Madison Keys will no doubt at least partially in her head be daring to dream after winning the first set 6-3 against Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 Australian Open Final. She is one set away from Grand Slam glory.

Keys may have won it 6-3 which tells of a close set but it was anything but for the most part as the American surged into a 5-1 lead with Sabalenka not able to lay a glove on her for the most part.

Her ball striking in particular was utterly flawless as she hit a huge down the line winner to take the first set breaking three times. Sabalenka after the first had hit only four winners and the only resolve she has is that Keys started to fall off when the set was in sight. She was 5-1 40-30 up and allowed Sabalenka a route back in to force it the distance at least for two more games.

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So in reality the question will be whether Keys could feasibly produce this again to claim the title. But those are all if buts and maybes at this point.

In particular her first serve percentage was remarkable as she has hit 79% but at one point was upwards of 94% through the first few games. It was very much handing Sabalenka no chance of posing a threat and with double faults also creeping in at times for Sabalenka, she is in trouble.

But the next few games of the second set will be vital. Keys does serve first and if broken early could just be a momentary blip for Sabalenka. In reality, the American needs to put her foot on the gas and surge towards the finishing line before Sabalenka grows into it.

As if she does, the first set could be a momentary footnote. But given that Keys also had a similar rampant set en route to seeing off Iga Swiatek, it is something that can be replicated.

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