Billie Jean King and Jessica Pegula react after Madison Keys beats Iga Swiatek to reach Australian Open final

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Madison Keys has just battled into a second Grand Slam final, having produced a stunning comeback win over Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open.

Coco Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert praised Keys’ ‘amazing’ effort after her win over Swiatek, which has set up an Australian Open final with Aryna Sabalenka.

WTA number one and top seed Sabalenka last lost an Australian Open match in 2022, having won the 2023 and 2024 finals.

She overcame Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in their semi-final in Melbourne, with Keys beating Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(10-8).

Rod Laver Arena played host to the epic encounter between the American and the Pole, and will now host Saturday’s final.

Billie Jean King and Jessica Pegula love Madison Keys reaching Australian Open final

Keys lost her only other Grand Slam final to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open, with the latter now among those messaging the former ahead of her Australian Open final.

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“Finals,” Keys wrote on Instagram after the win, with Stephens commenting “one more,” while tennis legend Billie Jean King wrote: “So happy for you. Keep going for it!”

WTA number six Jessica Pegula meanwhile posted teary and love emojis on X as she shared footage of the winning point.

Aryna Sabalenka v Madison Keys head-to-head record ahead of Australian Open final

Australian Open 19th seed Keys really put on one of the displays of her life against WTA number two and second seed Swiatek.

The stunning comeback was finally completed after two hours and 35 minutes, which involved the American saving one match point.

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Unfortunately, however, things are only going to get more difficult against Sabalenka, who is in formidable form in Australia and on hard courts in general.

The two-time defending champion will take some beating at Rod Laver Arena, but Keys can take plenty of confidence from her victory over Swiatek.

She had won just one of their five previous meetings, with the Pole having clinched all four of her wins in straight sets.

Intriguingly, Sabalenka also has a positive 4-1 head-to-head record over Keys ahead of their reunion in Melbourne.