Heavy hitters Sabalenka, Keys set up Australian Open title clash

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

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka overwhelmed her best friend Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in an impressive display of raw 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.

American Keys rallied from a set down to stun Swiatek 5-7 6-1 7-6(8) in a thriller and reach her first final at the Australian Open and second at the majors after her run to the 2017 U.S. Open title clash where she lost to Sloane Stephens.

"I'm still trying to catch up to everything that's happening. I'm in the finals. Woo-hoo," 19th-seeded Keys said after the biggest win of her career.

"That match was just such a high level ... I felt like I was fighting to stay in it ... To be able to be standing here in the finals is absolutely amazing and I'm glad that I can be here on Saturday.

"I think at the end we were both battling some nerves and really pushing each other. It was about who could get that final point and be a little better than the other and I'm happy it was me."

Five-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek came into her semi-final clash having not lost a game on serve in her last four at Melbourne Park, but was under immediate pressure when Keys took the opener and looked to consolidate the break.

Roared on by an army of Polish fans in the Rod Laver Arena stands, Swiatek switched into battle mode and pulled it back and the pair swapped breaks again before the second seed took control of the opening set at 4-2.

After rain prompted the closure of the