The tension is building with each game.
Sabalenka has tied it at 2-2.
Keys now needs another service hold.
Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Keys wins first set as Sabalenka chases third Open crown
Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Keys wins first set as Sabalenka chases third Open crown
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Key posts
Watch: Sabalenka’s drop shots
Sabalenka makes it 2-2
Eye of the tiger, indeed
By Gabriela Sumampow
It seems that Aryna Sabalenka and her fans aren’t the only ones embracing the eye of the tiger.
Her coach, Jason Stacy, has been spotted sporting what looks like the same tiger tattoo on Sabalenka’s arm… on his head!
Keys holds
Keys was 0-30 down and suddenly all the winds were behind Sabalenka but Keys is made of tough stuff and she worked her way back with some timely winners and a couple of overreaches from Sabalenka.
Keys held serve. It feels like a big moment although Sabalenka’s serve has improved with each game.
Keys leads 2-1.
Aryna Sabalenka.Credit: Eddie Jim
We’re in for a thrilling conclusion
By Scott Spits
Strap yourself in, folks. What a brilliant match-up between two players right on their game. My pre-match tip was Sabalenka to break away late in the final set, and I’ll stick with that.
Sabalenka levels it
We are into trenches now in this third set.
Sabalenka has held serve. It’s 1-1 and very much a battle of which heavy hitter is going to blink first and cough up a break.
Huge few games here. The tournament is on the line.
It’s 1-1 with Keys serving.
Madison Keys.Credit: Eddie Jim
Keys holds to love
Jelena Dokic used my favourite term.
Keys has “scoreboard pressure” as we start the third set holding serve comfortably and she is up 1-0.
Will Sabalenka look to the scoreboard and feel the weight of the universe on her shoulders?
Time will tell but Keys is on the board.
Madison Keys.Credit: Eddie Jim
The final we were hoping for
By Scott Spits
We’ve got the women’s final everyone was hoping for.
Aryna Sabalenka has levelled the contest at one set apiece after a tremendous fightback.
What happens from here? Keys was looking a little downcast as she walked to her chair. Sabalenka? She had a steely look on her face. It’s 3-6, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena after one hour and 21 minutes, after Sabalenka dug deep to swing the momentum and claim the second set in style.
Sabalenka wins second set
We are going to a deciding set.
Sabalenka has found her groove, Keys showed in the first set she is good enough to win this match,
It will come down to who can hold their nerves and land their serves.
Aryna Sabalenka.Credit: Eddie Jim
‘Eye of the Tiger, let’s go!’
By Gabriela Sumampow
Within the wave of the crowd’s “Let’s go Ary!” chants is a Sabalenka fan routinely screaming “Eye of the Tiger”, potentially referring to the tattoo on the World No.1’s arm.
As the match progresses well on its way to a three-setter, the love for Keys may be evident in the American flags among the crowd, but you could hear the unwavering love for Sabalenka through these chants.
Aryna Sabalenka’s “Tiger” shoes.Credit: Getty Images
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