Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys are set to face off in the Australian Open semi-finals after both players delivered commanding performances in their respective quarter-final matches. Swiatek, the No. 2 seed, overwhelmed eighth seed Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2, while Keys continued her impressive start to the season with a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over 27th seed Elina Svitolina.
Swiatek has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, showcasing the dominance that has become her hallmark. With her new coach, Wim Fissette, by her side, the Polish star has equaled her best Australian Open result, which she first achieved in 2022. Remarkably, she has yet to drop a set in Melbourne this year, conceding just 14 games across her matches. Half of those games came in her first-round victory over Katerina Siniakova, highlighting the ease with which she has progressed through the draw.
In her quarter-final, Swiatek faced Navarro, who was competing in her third consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final. Despite Navarro’s reputation for consistency and her ability to extend rallies, Swiatek controlled the match from start to finish. From the outset, she set the tone with aggressive play, breaking Navarro’s serve early and dictating points with her powerful groundstrokes. Swiatek’s ability to balance aggression with composure proved decisive, as she dismantled Navarro’s defense with precision.
The match included a moment of controversy in the second set when Swiatek reached a drop shot from Navarro and finished the point with a backhand winner. Replays showed the ball had bounced twice before Swiatek made contact, but the point stood because Navarro continued playing, and video review could not be used retroactively. Despite this incident, Swiatek’s dominance was clear as she advanced to the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Madison Keys extended her winning streak to 10 matches, including her title run at the Adelaide Open earlier this month. Her victory over Svitolina marked her seventh Grand Slam semi-final and her third in Melbourne, with her first coming in 2015 and another in 2022. Keys has shown remarkable form this season, defeating multiple top-20 and top-30 players along the way.
Keys’ quarter-final match began with Svitolina in control, utilizing her depth and consistency to put Keys under pressure. However, Keys, known for her explosive ball-striking, gradually found her rhythm. After adjusting her strategy to play more aggressively and take control of points earlier, she turned the match around. Her ability to dominate baseline exchanges with powerful groundstrokes was on full display as she tallied 49 winners in the match.
Reflecting on her performance, Keys credited her ability to adapt mid-match. “I felt like I just had to start playing a little bit more aggressive and try to get to the net a little bit quicker,” she said. “She was controlling a lot of the points and making me run. Luckily I was able to do that.”
Keys’ consistency and power have made her a formidable opponent in Melbourne, and her journey back to the semi-finals a decade after her first appearance is a testament to her resilience and growth as a player. Her best Grand Slam result remains her runner-up finish at the 2017 US Open, but she is undoubtedly eager to take the next step this time around.
The upcoming semi-final between Swiatek and Keys promises to be an electrifying clash of styles. Swiatek’s precision and consistency will be tested by Keys’ raw power and aggressive play. Both players are in exceptional form, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for a place in the Australian Open final.
