By Shrivathsa Sridhar and Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made sluggish starts on Thursday but sealed contrasting victories to set up an Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's heavy hitters against each other.

Plus, Ben Shelton gets the chance to end the American men's drought at a Grand Slam when he faces Jannik Sinner in the semis

American Madison Keys stunned world No. 2 Iga Świątek in an all-time Australian Open classic, coming from a set down to win 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) and set up a final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka.

Madison Keys has charged into the Australian Open final and will meet two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s championship.

The first of two Australian Open women’s singles semifinals is set for an early Thursday morning start in Melbourne as No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka battles No. 11 Paula Badosa.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time champion at the Australian Open, survived a major scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to advance to the semifinals. Sabalenka was twice a break down in the deciding set,

Follow live text and radio commentary featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek from the Australian Open semi-finals in Melbourne.

Madison Keys saved a match point and came back to upset No. 2 Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) in a high-intensity, high-quality Australian Open semifinal to reach a Grand Slam title match for the second time in her career.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Madison Keys 2025 Australian Open match preview: TV & streaming details, ticket information, free tips &

In the final at the Australian Open on Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka (ranked No. 1) takes on Madison Keys (No. 14).In her last match on Thursday, Sabalenka beat Paula Badosa in two sets, 6-4, 6-2, to

In Thursday morning's gritty three-set match, US tennis star Madison Keys ousted world No. 2 Iga Świątek from the 2025 Australian Open.