Aryna Sabalenka v Paula Badosa LIVE: Australian Open latest score and updates from Women’s semi-final
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Iga Swiatek looks to reach the Australian Open final for the first time as she faces Madison Keys at the Rod Lever Arena in the women’s singles semi-finals this morning.
The Pole’s only appearance at stage of the tournament came in 2022 when she was beaten by Danielle Collins in straight sets. But, Swiatek is in fine form having beaten all of her opponents over two sets in this campaign including Emma Raducanu in the third round and Emma Navarro in the quarter-finals despite some controversy over a double bounce point.
Her opponent, Keys, also last reached the semi-finals in 2022 but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty who went on to win the tournament. Keys’s previous two outing saw her battle past Elena Rybakina in the fourth round then Elina Svitolina in the quarters. The American has had a tougher run but is a wiley competitior and should give Swiatek some trouble.
Before the duo took to court, reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in straight sets during the first semi-final of the day.
Follow the latest updates from the Australian Open semi-finals in our live blog below:
Australian Open: BREAK! Madison Keys 5-7 6-1 Iga Swiatek*
That is actually unbelievable.
Madison Keys looks to take the second set without giving up a game and get right back in the match.
Iga Swiatek needs a break to reset and re-balance but first she wants to find some form.
Keys is playing out of her skin though with some incredible hitting skimming the top of the net and finding the tight angles.
Swiatek digs in. She fights back and forces Keys onto the back foot which helps. A couple of errors secures her the break of serve and she avoids losing the set to love.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:49
Australian Open: *Madison Keys 5-7 5-0 Iga Swiatek
Ig Swiatek rolls her shoulders and eases her back.
The momentum of the match has totally abandoned her as Madison Keys rediscovers her form.
The American is a force of nature and her imposition on this set has thrown Swiatek off.
Keys moves 0-30 up then clips the tape and gives up a point. Swiatek is flustered. She looks to whip a forehand across court but blazes it high and wide.
Two more break points for Keys.
She needs one. Keys is just one game away from winning the second set.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:44
Australian Open: Madison Keys 5-7 4-0 Iga Swiatek*
Bang, bang, bang. Ace, ace, ace.
Madison Keys flies up to 40-0 and holds serve after Iga Swiatek unleashes on a forehand that sails over the back of court.
Swiatek is well up against it now.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:40
Australian Open: BREAK! *Madison Keys 5-7 3-0 Iga Swiatek
There’s an added layer of pressure on Iga Swiatek now.
She has to hold serve repeatedly until she can break Keys.
The Pole is being made to work hard for her points and has no answer to shots like Keys’ cross court forehand return.
The American sets up another break point and Swiatek drives another shot out of play.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:37
Australian Open: Madison Keys 5-7 2-0 Iga Swiatek*
That could be a big moment for Keys. She’s starting to find a bit more rhythm in her game and the errors are less.
Swiatek gets lucky after clipping the tape and the ball drops onto Keys’ side of court.
A backhand across court from Keys lands in the net after Swiatek goes on the attack against the second serve.
Keys gets herself on the board by landing the first serve and draws level at 30-30 with a wonderful inside out forehand to the corner.
From there it’s simple enough to hold serve.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:33
Australian Open: BREAK! *Madison Keys 5-7 1-0 Iga Swiatek
When Madison Keys is on song, she’s very good.
A driving volley pokes her nose in front in the first game of the second set and a return of serve to the body of Swiatek sets up a couple of break points.
She needs one. Swiatek goes long and was outclassed in that game.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:30
Australian Open: SET! Madison Keys 5-7 Iga Swiatek*
Can Iga Swiatek win the set or will Madison Keys force a tie break?
The pair trade points in the first couple of rallies from Keys’ next service game before Swiatek wildly smokes a return out of play.
A backhand down the line helps her come up court and Keys punts her return over the back.
That is insane. Swiatek steps inside the baseline then smokes a backhand to the top left corner from the middle of court. Keys has not answer.
Swiatek has another set point and this time she takes it!
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:25
Australian Open: *Madison Keys 5-6 Iga Swiatek
Swiatek regains her focus and puts in a couple of deep serves that Keys fails to return.
Swiatek is a quiet operator. A slight nod or glance to her coach shows you that she’s in control again.
A hold to love means she’s at least secured a tie break in the set.
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:21
Australian Open: Madison Keys 5-5 Iga Swiatek*
Iga Swiatek has already had a chance to close out this set which she missed.
It’s still quite a way back for Madison Keys and she needs to start with a hold of serve.
Twice Swiatek drills the ball into the top of the net and gives points away. She’s frustrated and a touch more energy is pushed into a backhand which flies long.
Oh no! A superb serve means Swiatek can only loft the ball back. Keys waits for it to bounce then smashes the ball into the net. 40-30.
The American isn’t affected by that miss. She shuffles over to the right and pings a forehand winner down the line!
Mike Jones23 January 2025 11:18