Aryna Sabalenka reaches third straight Australian Open final to set up Madison Keys showpiece
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Double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has reached her third successive Australian Open final, where she will face first-time finalist Madison Keys. Sabalenka will be bidding for her fourth Grand Slam title in the women's decider on Saturday. The formidable Belarusian endured a sluggish start against Paula Badosa in Melbourne, but soon found her mark to run out 6-4 6-2 winner.
"I have goosebumps. I'm so proud of myself and my team to put ourselves in this situation," said Sabalenka. “If I put my name in history it will mean the world for me, I couldn't even dream of it ... I will go out and give everything in the final.". Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to win three Australian Open titles in succession since Martina Hingis (1997-99).
Later on inside the Rod Laver Arena, Keys came back from one set down to beat no2 seed Iga Swiatek and reach the Melbourne showpiece for the first time. Keys saved a match point in the third set and then produced another comeback during a thrilling third-set tiebreak to reach only her second ever Grand Slam final.
