• American emerges victorious with 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) victory
• In second grand slam final of career against Sabalenka

Deep in the final set of one of the most extraordinary matches of her career, the violent, destructive ball striking of Madison Keys was still in full flow. From a set down, Keys had dragged herself back into the match by brutalising every tennis ball in sight. Then she had shown her gritty resilience throughout a desperately tight third set. Whenever Iga Swiatek tried to pull away, Keys somehow forced her way back in.

One of the enduring questions surrounding Keys’ career has been whether she possesses the killer instinct and nerve to maintain her supreme shot-making under pressure in the biggest matches of her career. The answer has often been negative, but here Keys offered a supreme demonstration of her toughness as she saved a match point before emerging victorious in an instant classic, defeating a gritty Iga Swiatek to reach her first Australian Open final with a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8) win over the No 2 seed.

• Aryna Sabalenka beats Paula Badosa to reach the final
• Get in touch! Email Daniel Harris with your thoughts

Sabalenka 0-1 Badosa* (denotes server) A big service-winner down the T makes 15-all, but Sabalenka takes control of the next point with a booming forehand return, cleaning up with with another down the line Then, facing a second serve, she steps in a little and starts thwacking … but just when15-40 seems a matter of time, a backhand on the stretch and on to the line hauls Badosa back into the point and eventually the error comes; 30-all. But a double presents break point; another service-winner confiscates it, and so far, the underdog is coping with the pressure well, as I type spanking an ace down the T for advantage. And though she oughtn’t win the next rally, Sabalenka in at the net and unable to finish, she makes her opponent play enough balls such that the error comes. Badosa is into this!

Badosa to serve and ready … play.