Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to become the seventh player to win three consecutive Australian Open titles when she takes on Madison Keys in the final on Saturday night.
The world No. 1 has only dropped one set on her way to the final and enters the clash as the strong favourite.
Keys has reached her second major final in her career, eight years after she lost the US Open final to Sloane Stephens.
Will Sabalenka establish herself as the hardcourt queen, or can Keys spring an upset to win her first grand slam title?
The Sporting News is following Aryna Sabalenka vs. Madison Keys live, providing score updates and commentary as it happens.
MORE: Australian Open prize money 2025: Full winnings breakdown
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Madison Keys live score: Australian Open final
| Set 1 | Set 2 | |
| [1] Aryna Sabalenka | 3 | 0 |
| [19] Madison Keys (USA)* | 6 | 1 |
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Madison Keys updates, highlights and commentary
*Denotes server
Sabalenka 3-6 0-1 Keys*
A gritty hold from Keys to start the set. Sabalenka hits a ball too deep before messing up a smash but responds with a clever drop shot. Keys then makes some unforced errors of her own and gives up break point. She hits an ace to escape but then finds herself down break point again moments later. This time though, she hits a calm forehand winner before closing out the game.
*Sabalenka 3-6 Keys
Keys breaks right back and wins the set! The pair exchange some unforced errors before finding themselves at 30-30. Then, a fourth double fault from Sabalenka sees her give up another set point. Keys is able to convert with a lovely backhand winner down the line. A tremendous set of tennis from the American.
Sabalenka heads down the tunnel as Keys takes a seat on-court.
Sabalenka 3-5 Keys*
Sabalenka gets a break back! Three consecutive unforced errors from Keys give Sabalenka a pair of break points. She hits into the net on the first but converts on the second as Keys sprays a shot wide.
*Sabalenka 2-5 Keys
A tough but important hold for Sabalenka. After making a simple error at the net and sending another shot long, she responds with a winner to bring it to 30-30. Keys then replied with some brilliant ball-striking from close range before it goes to deuce. Sabalenka makes a big serve to save set point and then wins the game courtesy of a couple of unforced errors from her opponent.
Sabalenka 1-5 Keys*
Keys is feeling it now. She plays a centimetre-perfect cross-court drop shot at 15-0 before hitting a big ace down the ‘T’ to wrap up the game. A commanding first-set lead for the underdog.
*Sabalenka 1-4 Keys
Double break for Keys! Some clunky stuff from Sabalenka, and Keys is taking full advantage. The reigning champ hits a big forehand winner early, but the American responds with an impressive cross-court pass to set up 30-30. Sabalenka then hits another double fault and can’t clear the net on break point as Keys craftily drops a shot short.
Sabalenka 1-3 Keys*
Keys looks very self-assured as she holds serve again. She displays some exceptional timing on her shot as she hits a winner on the opening point before slapping an ace. Outplaying her favoured opponent as it stands.
*Sabalenka 1-2 Keys
The pair are starting to extend their rallies, exchanging points up to 30-30. Then, Sabalenka takes over with her serve, winning the next two points to wrap up the game. Those early jitters appear to have faded quickly, although Keys is hitting the ball with a bit more freedom.
Sabalenka 0-2 Keys*
Keys consolidates her break professionally. Despite being slightly outpowered in rallies and sitting at 30-30, she makes some good first serves to pick up the game. The No. 19 seed executes a solid serve-and-volley before encouraging an unforced error from her opponent.
*Sabalenka 0-1 Keys
Keys gets the break! A nervy start for Sabalenka, who notches a double fault to lose the first point. She hits a powerful cross-court winner on the next point, though. The world No. 1 then goes big on a second serve at 30-30 and picks up another double fault, gifting Keys an early break point. The American makes some smooth forehands before Sabalenka fails to clear the net. A perfect opening game for Keys.
7:38 pm: We’re out on court! Keys looks a relaxed figure, while Sabalenka also appears calm with headphones on.
7:37 pm: Both players are walking down the Rod Laver Arena tunnel… Not long now.
7:30 pm: It’s currently 21c and mostly cloudy at Melbourne Park. Temperatures may drop to 18c by the end of the match, with no rain forecast.
7:15 pm: The last meeting between the pair came in October at the China Open. Sabalenka emerged victorious in straight sets, winning 6-4 6-3.
7:00 pm: Keys has played in a grand slam final before – at US Open 2017 – when the then 15th seed was thrashed 6-3 6-0 by unseeded Sloane Stephens.
6:45 pm: If Sabalenka wins tonight, she will become the seventh player to win three consecutive majors at Melbourne Park. Read about the other players here.
6:30 pm: Aryna Sabalenka is the hot favourite to win the match but that doesn’t mean Madison Keys is out of contention. Read our betting preview here.
6:15 pm: Sabalenka leads the head-to-head between the duo 4-1, with Keys only win coming on grass in 2021.
6:00 pm (local time): Welcome to Rod Laver Arena for tonight’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys, as the world No. 1 shoots for her third consecutive Australian Open title.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Madison Keys prediction
Sabalenka has emerged as the hardcourt queen in the past couple of years, winning the last two editions of the Australian Open and the US Open in 2024.
Her power-hitting on the surface is simply too big for most players, with the world No. 1 only dropping four sets in total across those three major titles, as well as this current campaign at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka has looked vulnerable in some of her matches this year, particularly when down a break in the third set during her AO quarter-final against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
However, her semi-final performance demolition of the in-form Paula Badosa and fourth-round beat-down of Mirra Andreeva showed that the top seed can almost be unbeatable on her day.
Keys is in the form of her life, reaching her second grand slam final eight years after she was beaten by Sloane Stephens in the US Open 2017 final.
The American, who will turn 30 next month, has dismissed two grand slam winners on the way to the final in Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
Her semi-final victory over Swiatek was extraordinary, saving a match point as the Pole served for the match at 6-5, before going to win the 10-point tiebreak.
Like Sabalenka, Keys is famed for her big hitting, and she is going to have to be at the top of her power game to have any chance of beating the two-time Australian Open champion.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
It will take a mighty performance from Keys and some nerves from Sabalenka for this match to go toward the American underdog.
Keys will take hope from some of Sabalenka’s slightly underwhelming performances during the tournament, but essentially the world No. 1 will need to beat herself to lose this contest.
The American can keep the match tight, and even nick a set, but winning the battle is going to be a stretch.
Sabalenka is one of the best players we have seen on hardcourt and the 26-year-old is likely to queen of the surface for some time.
How to watch the Australian Open: TV channel, free-to-air guide in Australia
The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open for 2025.
Games are shown across the various channels in Nine’s portfolio – Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Go!.
Consult your local TV guide for the latest schedule.
Australian Open live stream: How to watch online in Australia
Fans can stream this year’s Australian Open via subscription service Stan Sport, where every match is streamed live, ad-free and available on-demand.
Notably, games played on Rod Laver Arena are available in 4K.
On top of this, Stan Sport exclusively host ‘Grand Slam Daily’ – a highlights and talking points show airing at 7:00 am AEDT each day.
Watch every match of the Australian Open ad-free with centre court in 4K on Stan Sport
9Now also offer free online streaming of Nine’s broadcasts across Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Go, as well as access to non-broadcast games.
