The five-time major champion, a brilliant frontrunner, reached match point, but couldn’t convert. She led for almost the entirety of the subsequent match tiebreak, moving ahead 8-7 with a fabulous reflexed volley winner.

Keys responded with two big first serves to earn her own match point, and screamed in delight as Swiatek sent a final forehand long.

REPORT: Comeback Keys stuns Swiatek to make maiden AO decider

“When I had an opportunity to win, I always kind of win,” said a shell-shocked Swiatek.

Two nights later, Keys went on to win her first major title at age 29.

“I think winning against Iga was really kind of a big hurdle where I felt like— I always believed that I could do it,” Keys explained, “but to do it that way, I think really I thought to myself after the match that I can absolutely win on Saturday.”

Lifetime achievement award: Gael Monfils

At age 38, Gael Monfils, who was crowned the AO boys’ champion in 2004, has been making headlines from Melbourne Park for more than half his life.

The Frenchman not only made a 15th main-draw appearance at AO 2025 but arrived on the back of a title in Auckland. With a third-round upset of world No.4 Taylor Fritz, Monfils built an eight-match winning streak.

‘A GREAT DAY FOR US’: Svitolina, Monfils spring Saturday upsets

“I keep playing for those matches. Play big player, big stadium, good crowd, good energy,” he related. 

“When you’re 38 years old, is what I want. I had it. I was very fortunate to win it. It’s exactly why I’m playing.”

Best friendship: Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa

The stakes couldn’t have been higher as Aryna Sabalenka faced her close friend Paula Badosa in the women’s final four.

For Sabalenka, victory would ensure passage to a third consecutive AO final. Badosa, contesting a first Grand Slam semifinal, was continuing her heartwarming comeback from the back injury that saw her drop outside the world’s top 100 and nearly quit the sport.

For almost 90 minutes of quality tennis, one of the game’s most prominent friendships was placed firmly aside. But when Sabalenka emerged with a 6-4 6-2 victory, there was the bestie promise to “go shopping and pay for whatever you want.”

The two-time defending champion also provided some consolation as a dejected Badosa absorbed the end of her AO campaign.

“We were just joking around,” the Spaniard reflected. “I’m really happy that, look, if. I lose against somebody, of course I want to lose against [the] world No.1 and against Aryna, and I wish her the best.”

Best advice: Daniil Medvedev

If it was a short stay for three-time AO finalist Daniil Medvedev, a second-round loser to Learner Tien, it was by no means a quiet one.

After he was pushed to five sets by world No.418 Kasidit Samrej in the first round, the No.5 seed had some sage words for the Thai wildcard.

REPORT: Medvedev takes the long road to round two

“If he plays like this, life can be good. Money, girls, casino – whatever,” said Medvedev when asked what Samrej could expect if he maintained the form he displayed in his major debut. “If he doesn’t, he’s not going to have it.” 

We suspect that Samrej, the first Thai player to compete at a Grand Slam since Danai Udumchoke at the AO 13 years earlier, is already preparing for his Melbourne Park return.

Best fashion statement: Coco Gauff

Prior to the tournament, Coco Gauff told the WTA’s social media channels what to expect from her AO 2025 outfit.

“The back is backless, because I wanted to show a little skin, you know?” she explained. “And then the cut-outs… I’m a huge Marvel fan, so I like superheroes, and all the female superheroes have cool cut-outs, so I wanted it to have cool cut-outs.”