Battle of the big hitters as Sabalenka, Keys book Australian Open final

MELBOURNE :Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made rocky starts on Thursday but eventually secured contrasting victories to set up a heavy metal Australian Open final showdown that will pit two of the game's big hitters against each other.

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka overwhelmed her best friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in an impressive display of sheer power to storm into her third straight title clash at the year's opening Grand Slam, where she will bid for her fourth major title.

Keys rallied from a set down and saved a match point to stun Swiatek 5-7 6-1 7-6(8) in a thriller, making her first final at the Australian Open and second at the majors after a run to the 2017 U.S. Open title clash ended in a loss to Sloane Stephens.

The 29-year-old American had spoken in 2022 about the "dark pit of despair" she found herself in as her career stalled due to the pressure of trying to remain in the upper echelons of tennis but her return to that level this year has been rapid.

After winning the Adelaide title this month, Keys pulled off the biggest win of her career against world number two Swiatek, before bowing her head and soaking up thunderous applause from the thoroughly entertained Rod Laver Arena crowd.

"I'm still trying to catch up to everything that's happening," Keys said. "I'm in the finals. Woo-hoo! That match was just such a high level ... I was just fighting to stay in it ... To be able to be standing in the final is absolutely amazing and I'm glad I can be here on Saturday."

UNDER PRESSURE

Five-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek came into the clash having not lost her serve in her last four matches at Melbourne Park but she was under immediate pressure when Keys took the opener and looked to consolidate