Madison Keys made headlines on Saturday by securing her first grand slam title in a nail-biting Australian Open women’s final. The 29-year-old American triumphed over two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Keys started strong, showcasing flawless serves and aggressive returns that left Sabalenka scrambling. She dominated the first set, but the Belarusian fighter bounced back in the second, leveling the score and setting the stage for a dramatic finale.

The third set was a rollercoaster. Both players held their serves until the score reached 5-5. With the pressure mounting, Keys found her rhythm and delivered two forehand winners to break Sabalenka’s serve, sealing the victory at 7-5. Overwhelmed with emotion, Keys raised her arms in triumph before celebrating with her coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” Keys said, her voice trembling. “My team believed in me every step of the way.”

This victory marks a turning point for Keys, who had previously fallen short in major tournaments, including the 2017 US Open final and the 2023 US Open semifinal. Her resilience paid off as she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds at the Australian Open.

Sabalenka, aiming for a historic third consecutive title, handled the loss with grace, joking with her team during the trophy ceremony. “Madison was incredible today,” she admitted. “Next time, I’ll bring better tennis.”

The thrilling match is already being hailed as one of the most memorable finals in recent tennis history.