With women’s tennis on the verge of an epic showdown between its top two players with the Australian Open title on the line, Keys, the 29-year-old American, crashed the party. She stormed back against Iga Swiatek to win their semifinal 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8)

Madison Keys stunned second seed Iga Swiatek 5-7 6-1 7-6(8) in a thriller on Thursday to reach her first Australian Open final. American Keys, the 19th seed, will meet double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's decider.