Aryna Sabalenka and American Madison Keys meet in the Australian Open women’s singles final on Saturday.
Sabalenka bids to become the first woman to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles since Martina Hingis from 1997-99.
The Belarusian has won her last 20 matches in hard-court Slams (Australian Open and U.S. Open) dating to the start of 2024.
This is her first time as a No. 1 seed at a Slam after taking the No. 1 ranking from Iga Swiatek in October.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Men’s Draw
Keys, 29, bids to become the third-oldest first-time Grand Slam women’s champion after Italians Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone.
Keys ousted five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in a three-set semifinal. Keys has now reached seven Grand Slam semifinals and two finals. She was the 2017 U.S. Open runner-up to countrywoman Sloane Stephens.
Sabalenka is 4-1 against Keys, including wins at 2023 Wimbledon and the 2023 U.S. Open.
American Coco Gauff, the third seed, was upset by Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals.
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka withdrew during her third-round match due to an abdominal injury.
