Madison Keys comes back to clinch Australian Open semifinal, downs Elina Svitolina

For the third time in her career, Madison Keys has booked a spot in the Australian Open semifinals after rallying from a set down against No. 28 seed Elina Svitolina on Wednesday.

The American kicked off the season in red-hot form after winning her ninth career title in Adelaide, and came into the clash with Svitolina on the back of a nine-match winning streak.

The Ukrainian played some of her best tennis in the first set, and stayed toe-to-toe with Keys throughout the nearly two-hour match—just one break of serve marked the difference in each set. Ultimately, it was Keys who stepped up in the big moments and delivered with her booming groundstrokes, striking 49 winners including six aces to see off Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Read More: AO Quarterfinal Previews: Jannik Sinner vs. Alex de Minaur, Iga Swiatek vs. Emma Navarro, Madison Keys vs. Elina Svitolina

After the victory, Keys, the 2017 US Open finalist, celebrated by writing “Final 4” on the camera lens.

The victory also marked a full-circle moment for Keys, who made her first big Grand Slam breakthrough on these courts in 2015. At the age of 19, Keys announced herself to the tennis world by stunning Venus Williams in three sets before bowing out to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Ten years on, Keys will lean on experience as she awaits the winner of No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek and No. 8 seed Emma Navarro for a place in the final.

“I think I play a little bit smarter, for sure,” Keys joked on court. “Probably a little bit less fearless though, but to be here 10 years later in the semifinals again, I’m really proud of myself and really excited to play another semifinal here in Melbourne.”

More to follow...