Iga Swiatek responds when asked if the roof closing on Rod Laver Arena impacted her in match against Madison Keys

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Iga Swiatek failed to advance to a maiden Australian Open final as she fell in three sets to Madison Keys.

With a place in the final of the Australian Open up for grabs, Swiatek and Keys put on a clinic on Rod Laver Arena.

Momentum shifted back and forth throughout before the American WTA star secured the win, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8).

Keys advanced to her second Slam final with the win, having lost in the US Open final to Sloane Stephens, eight years ago.

There was plenty of controversy in the match, as Swiatek took a ‘lengthy’ toilet break ahead of the third set, having dropped the second 1-6.

Another big moment came when the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena, something that Swiatek has now commented on.

Iga Swiatek ‘doesn’t know’ if closing the roof made a big difference in her loss to Madison Keys

During her post-match press conference, Swiatek was asked whether the closing of the roof aided her opponent.

“Well, it’s a tough question because on one hand I think if it would be hotter, maybe my ball would have more impact hitting the ground with my spin,” she said.

“On the other hand, I don’t know, maybe she would play some shots too long because she is risking a lot when she plays.

“I could also be late more if it would be hotter, it’s always a mix of different things.

“But for sure, like, under the roof, my spin, it will be a bit slower I guess, it’s just physics.”

Swiatek did, however, admit that she doesn’t think that the roof closing made a difference on the outcome of the match.

“I don’t know that action made a difference or not,” she said.

“I mean, I don’t think it did because it was literally like just one or two points, so yeah.”

Swiatek failed to convert a match point on her serve during the third set, as Keys fought back to take things to a decider on Rod Laver Arena.

Iga Swiatek thinks Madison Keys’ serve made a ‘difference’ in their semi-final match

Swiatek may not think that the roof closing made too much of a difference, but she may have noticed something that did.

“I think maybe I would have won it sometimes if I could win easy points with my serve as she did,” said Swiatek.

“She could always come back from being in trouble with the serve, but I didn’t serve as well.

“So maybe that would make a difference.”

Always a big weapon for the American, Keys’ serve was on point during her semi-final win over Swiatek.

Looking at the match on the whole, Swiatek was happy to admit that her opponent was the better player.

“Yeah, I would say this first set and third set where I feel like I was playing my tennis, maybe okay, it wasn’t like 100% control as on previous matches,” she said.

“Still, I think I played good, but she played better.

“I did everything I could, I wouldn’t say, like, I flopped or, I don’t know, I should have won it.”

Iga Swiatek’s Australian Open struggles continue with loss to Madison Keys

Heading into Thursday’s semi-final match, Swiatek looked to be a heavy favorite to reach her first Slam final down under.

It wasn’t to be, as she lost at the semi-final stage for the second time in her career, missing a golden opportunity to win a maiden Australian Open title.

The Australian Open still remains her third most successful Slam, despite her run to the last four in Melbourne.

Swiatek has only struggled more at Wimbledon, where she has won less than 70% of her matches, reaching the quarter-finals just once.

Her Grand Slam attention will now switch to the French Open, where she is a three-time defending champion.

Swiatek will look to defend her title once more as the French Open begins on May 25.