Mats Wilander thought Iga Swiatek did something out of character during the Australian Open semi-final.
The 23-year-old is very difficult to reign back in once she takes the lead, but that was not the case on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.
The World number two took the first set and she even had a match point on her own serve in the decider, but she was unable to capitalise on her opportunities.
Instead, the Pole was outlasted by Madison Keys, who reached her first Grand Slam final since 2017 and her first at the Australian Open.
What did Mats Wilander find unusual about Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open semi-finals?
Iga Swiatek was back to blistering best at the Australian Open, as she reached the semi-final without dropping a set and conceded just 14 games along the way, just one more than Maria Sharapova’s record of 13.
But she more than met her match in Madison Keys, who entered the semi-finals on a 10-match winning streak. In an enthralling battle, Keys completed a comeback 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(10-8) win in two hours and 35 minutes for the second time in the tournament.
Post-match Mats Wilander felt he saw something unusual from Swiatek, who made an uncharacteristic error on break point at 4-4 in set three, and another on match point, in addition to losing her 5-2 lead in the first set.
“She looked a little bit tense. That is for sure. She lost her momentum in the match after she was up 5-2 in the first set,” Wilander told Eurosport.
“Madison Keys did unbelievably well to bring it back but then I thought, okay, she wins it 7-5. That’s it. I never thought Madison Keys [would come back]. The mental effort by Madison Keys was incredible.
“I have to say Iga looked a little bit tight. She missed a few shots we are not used to seeing her miss. I thought in certain situations in this match she didn’t come right to the ball.
“She got too close to it. The backhand usually is rock solid and she missed that down the line and kind of inside out down the line. It was unusual.”
Madison Keys breaks an all-time Australian Open record after reaching final
Keys was overcome with emotion after securing one of the biggest wins of her career.
The American is now the player with the longest gap between her first two Grand Slam finals of eight years.
She broke the record previously held by 2006 Australian Open winner Amelie Mauresmo with seven years.
Keys is now one of the players with the most main draw appearances needed to make their first Australian Open final with 11 attempts, equalling Caroline Wozniacki’s record.
Furthermore, Keys is the oldest woman to advance to the Australian Open final since Venus and Serena Williams in 2017.
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