Key events
Our Maddy lets out a celebratory squeal, meets Swiatek at the net, and lowers on to haunches, embracing the momentousness of the moment. She played the big points brilliantly, and what a total joy it is to say that of her – she’s worked so hard for this, suffered so much, and the joy of winning not just a semi, but that semi, will sustain not just the rest of her career but the rest of her life.
Madison Keys beats Iga Swiatek 5-7 6-1 7-6(8)
Maddy has done it! Madison Keys is into the final against Aryna Sabalenka, winning an immediate classic in the process! What a moment! What a change-around! What a match!
Keys 5-7 6-1 6-6 (9-8) Swiatek This contest is so good it’s moving, and Keys again sticks in a point, gradually reversing momentum to take back another mini-break! Then, at 7-7, Keys is into the net with Swiatek already there, going cross when line’s open and presenting a volley that’s well despatched, No matter, an ace and a service-winner follow; Keys has match point on the Swiatek serve…
Keys 5-7 6-1 6-6 (6-7) Swiatek Two holds and Swiatek has 6-4, but Keys, allowed to plant feet, uses the pace of the ball to coax an inside-out winner into the corner. Bur she just can’t hold serve, a long backhand again forcing her to come from behind; a backhand winner reminds Swiatek of how close this is.
Keys 5-7 6-1 6-6 (4-5) Swiatek This time, Swiatek converts, Keys defending well to keep the rally going but a third booming groundstroke is too much and she trails 2-4. But have a look! Out of nowhere, Keys, on the defensive, sends a munter of a slice zoning over the net cross-court and Swiatek, in for a simple putaway, can’t respond to a ball she wasn’t expecting. But Keys has lost her consistency here, losing control of a forehand to trail 3-5, and she’s giving away service-points faster than she can retrieve them.
Keys 5-7 6-1 6-6 (2-3) Swiatek Keys, suffused with relief, nets a forehand to cede an immediate mini-break, but with 10 points the target, she’s more scope to redeem things … and she doesn’t need it, an immediate double handing it straight back. Usually in a tiebreak, I’d back the player with the bigger game to take it, but I’ve not a clue how Keys will react to the pressure – she needs this more than her opponent – and a netted forehand means she donates another mini-break at 3-1, the gap soon closed to 3-2.
Keys 5-7 6-1 6-6 Swiatek* Lovely from Swiatek, hitting through a forehand and coming to the net to volley a winner; 0-15. But a decent return then makes her play and she can’t control her response; a netted return gives her 30-15. But have a look! A forehand dismissively swatted, Delpo-style, from middle to corner, levels us up again … only for a netted backhand to cede match point. And here it comes … but Swiatek can’t respond to another return of excellent length, down the middle but close to line and body! And she then nets to hand over break point – I’m in awe of how fiercely these two are competing – and a double means a 10-point tiebreak! MORE MORE MORE MORE!
*Keys 5-7 6-1 5-6 Swiatek Again, you wonder if the disappointment of the last game will affect Keys, and when Swiatek runs in to put away a forehand for 0-30, you fear for her. Ach, and a double follows, meaning that for the second game in a row, she’ll need to retrieve a 0-40 deficit … and two serve-forehand combos take her two-thirds of the way! But oh Maddy! In charge of the next rally, she opts for drop – that’s tiredness, of body and mind, I think – and Swiatek spots it a mile off, racing to the net to flip a forehand winner down the line. The no 2 seed is a hold away, and Keys will be reliving that error for a long, long time if she can’t break here. You feel for her.
Keys 5-7 6-1 5-5 Swiatek* Now then! At 15-all, a return down the line allows Keys to advance and put away a forehand winner for 15-30; she’s two points away! But on the run, she can’t control another forehand, so cedes the next rally, and Swiatek then pins her behind the baseline, moving from side to side, for 40-30 before closing out.
*Keys 5-7 6-1 5-4 Swiatek The relief of saving the break there, and to escape the shame of that missed overhead, have Swiatek bouncing, and three errors from Keys mean it’s quickly 0-40. A big first serve and follow-up forehand save the firs break point … and the second, but Swiatek is in control of the next point, coming in to unleash a forehand … only to check the shot and net! Credit to Keys for finding the first serves when she needed them but then, unloading a succession of forehands, Swiatek sticks in the rally then, as Keys comes in, fires one low that’s too good! Might that be the shot that seizes the match? Er, no, a service-winner down the T restores deuce then a high-kicking serve facilitates the controlled forehand into space for advantage … and a weapons-grade, inside-out monster has her squealing in delight and release! Keys is a game away and this is both the best and toughest I’ve seen her play. What a match!
Keys 5-7 6-1 4-4 Swiatek* This is a lot of trouble to go to for the misery of meeting Aryna Sabalenka, but here we are, and Swiatek nets yet another backhand for 0-15, then sends one long for 0-30; pressure increases for both players. Is this Keys’ moment? How can she calm herself to attack it? Well, her first effort goes long, but stretching to force her opponent to play one more ball, flipping high from the corner, Swiatek hammers the overhead putaway wide! You could almost see her sweating under that, and though she then saves the first break point, she must face the second with a second serve … and Keys, well in the point, nets a forehand! That’s an error she might take to her grave – a lot to process in the moment – and two further swipes into the net extinguish the opportunity. Swiatek will be wanting to make her play as many balls as possible next game, while she’s still smarting.
*Keys 5-7 6-1 4-3 Swiatek From 30-0 we reach 30-all, but Keys isn’t arsed, backpeddling to launch into a forehand, almost underarm, to the inside-out corner, then again stepping back to laser flat down the line! This is fantastic stuff: for Madison Keys, these are the days of her life, and she’s embracing them.
“‘… heck as like’?” says Geoff Wignall. “Errr, no. ‘Heckers like’ is the term.”
Er, my old fella – from Cheetham Hill – uses both, and given “heck” is in lieu of a swearword, try inserting the relevant one before wondering if you’d give it the suffix “-ers”.
Keys 5-7 6-1 3-3 Swiatek* Swiatek quickly makes 30-0, then Keys tries a drop – is that her first of the match? – and it doesn’t get close to the net. But what’s this?! Two unnecessary errors, both snatched backhands, illustrate the pressure Swiatek is under – she had time to measure both – and at 40-30, she’ll be relieved to see Keys net rather than make her play.
*Keys 5-7 6-1 3-2 Swiatek Keys knows that even a momentary lack of focus can be fatal, especially against so relentless, remorseless a killer, and that last hold has given Swiatek something. A big forehand makes her 30-all – last game, she was missing those – and is this the start of the momentum shift, the five-time slam winner finding a way? Well, Keys nets a backhand to hand over break point … but does she step off? Does she heck as like! A backhand to the corner allows a forehand clean-up, a serve out wide is too good for Swiatek to control her return, and a series of frankly terrifying forehands secure a crucial hold. The conundrum for Swiatek is that she looks best when playing aggressively, but that makes errors more likely and also allows Keys to be more patient – not generally one of her fortes.
Keys 5-7 6-1 2-2 Swiatek* Given Keys is a) the underdog, b) playing better and c) serving first, the pressure is on Swiatek, who marches in, only to net a backhand down the line with time and space to execute; 15-all. Then, forced to the corner, she nets a forehand, and knows her opponent has never played better; can she find a way nevertheless? Because that brings a sense for Keys that she can’t waste this opportunity – for all the therapy-speak about being able to enjoy her career achievements without needing a grand slam title, she still desires one more than she’s ever desired anything. That’s a lot to deal with when you’re closer to it than you dared dream you’d get again, all the more so against one of the great competitors, and though an error from Swiatek gives her break point, the no 2 seed does really well to save it and then close out. This is now the match of the championships – and there’s plenty more of it to come!
*Keys 5-7 6-1 2-1 Swiatek A weak second serve gets due treatment, but Keys is calm and quickly makes 40-15. And, though Swiatek closes then takes control of the next point, a forehand slice on to the baseline elicits the error, and both players are building to a crescendo, Keys looking less likely to lose it – not words often said of her or her opponent.
Keys 5-7 6-1 1-1 Swiatek* Better from Swiatek, sticking in the rallies without doing too much and making 30-0 as a consequence. And though, at 40-0, she slices into the tape, she lowers on to her haunches to return one booming backhand, then advances to despatch an overhead, suffused with all the accumulated rage of the last set.
*Keys 5-7 6-1 1-0 Swiatek Gosh, at 15-all, Swiatek is handed a loopy, slow second serve … and she misses her return by a long way; she’s in trouble. All the more so when Keys clatters an ace down the T, then an inside-out backhand winner, greeted with a delighted yelp, seals the hold. She’s in perfect control, just the right amount of irritated by how long Swiatek took changing to repurpose it as righteous fury and tennis excellence. This next game is a biggun.
Keys is back buy Swiatek takes a little longer, changing her kit, and I imagine, her mindset. She knows how to win these matches and I’m reminded of her contest against Naomi Osaka in Paris, which she won 7-6 1-6 7-5.
Keys nips out for a break and she must be desperate, because I can’t imagine she’ll have willingly stepped out of whatever rarefied place she’s been inhabiting the last 20 minutes or so. She monstered Swiatek’s second serve in that set, but it was the considered power that really did the damage, hitting hard enough but not too hard and not looking for a winner off every shot, rather to land her opponent in trouble.
Keys 5-7 6-1 Swiatek* Other hand, if Keys can seal the set with another break, she’ll be serving first in the third – and a winner followed by an error make that not unlikely at 0-30. And goodness me, a double hands over three set points … the first saved via serve-forehand combo-move, the second with a netted return. But when she lands her next, Swiatek again overhits, and we’re going the distance! That’s a fantastic set (of tennis) from Keys, who found such a good length, not just on her winners but on her returns, while i don’t think I’ve ever seen Swiatek overhit as much, a sign that she’s fazed and trying to do too much. She’s some thinking to do because, though it’s possible Keys cools or tightens, status quo and she loses.
*Keys 5-7 5-1 Swiatek Is this the performance Keys has always had in her? The better she plays, the more she knows she must take full advantage, the more she wonders how she’ll feel if she somehow collapses. And though a fantastic forehand winner makes 30-15, Swiatek might just be over the worst of her blip, a forehand to the corner making 30-all … then a double means a point for one break back, and seasoned Maddy-watchers will fear they’ve seen this before. Shonuff, a backhand down the line falls out, this set not yet done, and even if Keys closes out, she might just be allowing her opponent back in with a decider looming.
Keys 5-7 5-0 Swiatek* Hi Maddy and welcome to The Zone, population: You. More forehand excellence makes 0-15, a double 0-30, and Swiatek is chuntering to herself between points; I’m afraid my only word in Polish is lebowski, and she’s definitely not wanting to sleep. And have a look! A forehand hooked long, then a backhand into the net, and this set is more or less over! Swiatek has handed out three bagels so far this tournament, but not she’s a Keys hold from enduring one herself! She is frenetic and flustered out there; her opponent is flying!
*Keys 5-7 4-0 Swiatek You bet she can! Three straight aces set things up, then an impatiently swatted return – that’s frustration not matchplay – means Swiatek is serving again within seconds.
Keys 5-7 3-0 Swiatek* There are real contours to this match, neither player able or allowed to dominate; I guess in some ways, Badosa is just a less good Sabalenka, whereas here, the match-up allows each to exploit the other. And Keys has hit a seam here, the length on her returns causing problems … and the angle! On the stretch, she somehow finds the strength and control to punish a ball which bounces shoulder-high cross court for a winner, raising a point for the double-break! And Swiatek, who suddenly looks rushed and rattled, goes for a winner that isn’t there! Keys is in control of this set, but can she handle the expectation that comes with that?
*Keys 5-7 2-0 Swiatek Down 15-30 after having her second serve addressed, Keys finds a pair of backhands when she needs them to level the game, then lands another on to the baseline and Swiatek can’t respond. This next point is crucial and here comes another second delivery … but this time, the return is netted! An absolutely gargantuan consolidation is secured, but can Maddy play well enough for long enough to make it worth something?
Keys 5-7 1-0 Swiatek* A fine backhand and swing-volley combo give Keys 15-30 – she’s made more than enough chances on the Swiatek serve, she just hasn’t been consistent enough on her own. But when a decent return forces the netted backhand, she’s a chance at 15-40, an even better return, right on to the paint, incites Swiatek to go long! Perfect response from Keys but she must, you feel, hold here else what’s the point?
*Keys 5-7 Swiatek Between games, we cut to Badosa’s interview, in which she explains that Swiatek takes away your legs, making every point intense, whereas Sabalenka is “winners everywhere”. Talking of which, one apiece takes us to 15-all, before a wild return takes Keys to two points away. But it’s soon 30-all, then Swiatek steps into court and caresses a backhand winner inside-out into the corner, and that’s another set point … and this time, Keys nets! It took a while, and Swiatek was steaming with herself after missing her first go at it, but she’s a set to the good and it’ll take something special to stop her from here.
Keys 5-6 Swiatek* Swiatek rushes to 40-0, a long return secures the hold, and Kets will shortly serve to secure a first-set breaker. This is getting intense.
*Keys 5-5 Swiatek At 15-all, a fantastic get from Keys, floating a backhand on the stretch that drops neat the baseline, incites the error, and another– Swiatek swatting long – means game point. And it’s as good as secure when a ball drops just over the bet and bounces high … only Keys dumps an overhead into the net from an angle that looked impossible to to do! She can only laugh, but she’ll be absolutely bricking it because that’s the kind of error you can rue for a lifetime. But a forehand winner down the line has her screaming in glee that’s really relief – gleelief – and at 5-5, this set is anyone’s. Well played Madison Keys!
Keys 4-5 Swiatek* Keys goes for it, smoking a backhand return then following up with an unreturnable forehand. Then, flipping the script, a forehand return allows a backhand winner; 0-30, and this is great stuff from the underdog. And have a look! Two more flat backhands make 0-40, but we’re quickly to 40-30 and this might be the match right here – or at least, if Swiatek closes out for the set, it’ll be hard to see her losing. But she cannot! Keys’ weight of shot is again too much, two cross-court backhands allowing her to cream one down the line, and Swiatek is not all her happy with herself, perhaps still sweating that miss when up set point last game. We’re back on serve!
*Keys 3-5 Swiatek A terrific inside-out forehand towards the sideline gives Swiatek 0-15, a backhand into the net 0-30, and the pressure is telling on Keys – that’s her 12th unforced error. An ace down the T does make 30-all, but sent wide on the forehand side, a clump wide means set point for the Pole … who misses with her backhand down the line, the space open. What an oversight that might prove to be! So to deuce and another ace brings advantage, then a return into the net forces Swiatek to serve for it.
Keys 2-5 Swiatek* Of course it makes sense Keys is looking for winners, but she needs to be just a little more judicious in her timing and little more patient in her set-ups. And shonuff, though a double then some forehand clouting bring her 15-30, more rushing cedes 30-all … before we wind up at deuce. And from there, Swiatek nails a forehand winner down the line, then comes in to secure her consolidation. Like our first match, it’s close, but no sense we’ll see an upset.
*Keys 2-4 Swiatek The roof is being closed but we keep playing, Swiatek coaxing a forehand down the line for 0-15. And though she returns well, Keys lands a backhand response on to the paint … only to waft her next well long. Trouble! And more of it when Swiatek scurries superbly to stay in a point Keys thinks is won – has she never seen Swiatek play? – eventually inciting the error for 0-40; there’s a lesson there. And though she saves two break points with superb play, she then goes for a forehand that isn’t there, swiping wide, and after three goes at it, she’s still seeking a hold.
Keys 2-3 Swiatek* All the more so when Swiatek makes 40-0, hitting her spots much better, and though an error gives Keys the sniff of a sniff, she dictates the next point with forehands, and looks settled. This next game is a biggun: Keys really must hold.
*Keys 2-2 Swiatek An inside-out forehand to the corner gives Swiatek 15-all, but a net-cord which kills the ball makes 30-15. A double, though, follows, then two backhand errors, one fractions from the line and one into the net, mean a fourth break in four games. Keys will be worried she’s spurned the best chances she’s likely to get.
Keys 2-1 Swiatek* Another double gives Keys 0-15, then she flips long a ball that bounces just over the net; trouble. And there’s more of it when a second serve bounces so short, the American has to stretch to get at it, landing a backhand winner nonetheless and raising three break points in the process. And though Swaitek gets her moving again, she goes wide after creating more than enough space to hit her winner without getting close to the line, and that’s another break! Already, this is a greater challenge than any she has faced in this competition this year.
*Keys 1-1 Swiatek My screen crashes, returning in time for me to see Keys go long with a forehand at 40-30; she laughs to herself – a good sign because once she might’ve turned her disappointment inward. Swiatek, though, does superbly to stay in the next point then finish it with a forehand winner, and another long forehand hands back the break. Keys isn’t anywhere near as effective when put on her bike and I’m sure that’s what Swiatek will seek to do.
Keys 1-0 Swiatek* Is that a marker? Keys dominates the opening point with forehands, then a double follows, before Swiatek hits the sideline with a backhand. She looks a little nervous, though, snatching at a forehand down the line when she didn’t need to then, at 30-40, coming in behind a loose approach and eventually netting the third volley belted at her. Keys breaks immediately!
Swiatek to serve … and ready, play.
The roof is back open, which favours Swiatek – she’s likely to handle any breeze better, and the pace on Keys’ shots won’t be the same.
So to our next match! Swiatek is, of course, the better player, but Keys is good enough to hit through her if she’s on. This is a bonus for the American – she collapsed in the 2017 US Open final against her mate, Sloane Stephens and will have feared never getting back to that level – but she’s in a great place both on and off the court, finding a racket and strings that work for her along with a coach who’s also her husband. Beating Elena Rybakina in the last eight was massive for her, but she’ll need to play better here than she did then.
Sabalenka, then. A few years ago, she was a fragile power-player, but nowadays, she’s an all-round monster, certain she’ll win and deploying a full range of tools to make that happen. Badosa didn’t hit as quite as hard, but also couldn’t find the varying angles and near-perfect lengths to keep her guessing, which was how Pavlyuchenkova competed in the quarter-finals. It’ll take something monumental to stop her.
Coming up next: Madison Keys (19) v Iga Swiatek (2).
