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“It will be a shootout”: Phillips gives prediction for AO Final as Sabalenka chases three-peat
Nicholas Quinlan • January 24th, 2025 2:17 pm
Madison Keys will need to be on top form to prevent world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka from winning a fourth singles Grand Slam according to SEN's tennis expert Brett Phillips.
Phillips previewed Saturday night’s women’s singles final, declaring the match between the American and the Belarusian star “will be a shootout”.
After a dominant display against Paula Badosa in the semi-final, Phillips has backed Sabalenka to make it three straight Australian Open singles titles.
“The game is on the racket of Aryna Sabalenka every match she plays,” Phillips said on SEN Mornings.
“The power is just extraordinary. She’s an intimidating force out on the tennis court.
“Apart from being 2-0 down last night (in the first set against Badosa) she controlled that other semi so swiftly and looking to make it 21 straight wins (at the AO).
“If the serve is in good order and she can just open up the court, it’s devastating.”
But Phillips did reserve some praise for Keys’ performance in her semi-final match against Iga Swiatek providing some hope for the American’s title chances.
“(A) great comeback from Madison to reset and she saves the match point late in the piece,” he said of the 19th seed.
“You don’t lose your ball striking ability and she played with great control which is always the thing that we're watching for her when you play such an offensive brand of tennis.
“It’s just whether she (Sabalenka) might get a little bit tight, whether she misfires a little bit, you feel like it’s on her racket.”
For Keys, she will be looking to win the maiden Grand Slam title that has proved elusive in her career to date.
“16 years on tour for Madison Keys, eight years since she played that US Open final,” Phillips said further.
“It was an all-American affair against Sloane Stephens, big build-up in New York and she got absolutely pants three and love.”
The women’s singles final is scheduled to take place at 7:30pm AEDT on Saturday. SEN will have live coverage of Day 14 of the Australian Open available on the SEN app and radio platforms.
