Aryna Sabalenka ‘motivated’ to get her revenge against Madison Keys in the semifinals of Indian Wells
Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys are set to face each other for the seventh time in the semifinals of Indian Wells.
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Madison Keys and Aryna Sabalenka (via X)
It’s almost two months since Aryna Sabalenka faced Madison Keys in the final of the Australian Open. The former was the favorite on the day but she eventually fell to a disappointing defeat against the latter. Both stars are now set to face again in the semifinals of Indian Wells in the California desert.
Sabalenka was pretty unstable at in the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open. She had gone unbeaten in the competition for two consecutive years and ran to win the title for the third time in a row. She then collapsed to a 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 loss to Keys. The defeat left her so disappointed that for one month she only won one match.
She took the heartbreak to the Middle East swing, where she played terribly in Qatar and Dubai. She lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second of the Doha Open before losing to Clara Tauson in Dubai. However, in Indian Wells, Sabalenka has bounced back from the disappointment in Melbourne.
In fact, the three-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the California desert. She has been playing her best tennis in the competition, which has seen her best Lucia Bronzetti, Sonay Kartal and, in the quarterfinals, beat Liudmila Samsonova. 6-2, 6-3. Sabalenka, who has never won the Indian Wells title is now seeking to make it to the final for the second time.
To do that she will have to beat Keys, who is on a 16-match unbeaten run this season. The American last lost a match at the Auckland Classics in early January. Nonetheless, ahead of their meeting, Sabalenka is motivated that seek revenge will help her battle to the last against the World No.5.
All that motivation for revenge comes to mind. It was a tough match in Australia; she played really well, and I didn’t perform my best, so I’m happy to now have the chance for redemption. That’s why I love sports; if you don’t give up and work hard, life will bring you that opportunity to correct the mistake you made in your last match.
Aryna Sabalenka said via Indian Wells Press
Sabalenka and Keys have met six times in their careers, with the former having a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head record. Keys will be hoping to defeat the Belarusian for the second consecutive time, while Sabalenka seeks a revenge.
Madison Keys optimistic about extending her unbeaten streak in Indian Wells
Madison Keys has been a different player since the start of the 2025 season. The American star’s triumph at the Australian Open was one of the biggest shocks in the history of the tournament. However, she has done well to continue with the form and currently holds a 16-match unbeaten run.
Also, this season she holds a 5-0 record against Top 10 players and has won two of the three events she’s played. The American star is now very confident in herself ahead of her semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka. She revealed that she’s looking forward to extending her unbeaten run this season.
That’s probably something that you’ll never really forget. I don’t think I’ve ever had a streak this long, but obviously would like for it to go even further. Probably not. I think the reality of winning as many matches as I have this early in a season hasn’t ever really happened for me, so I think there is definitely a lot of just kind of confidence from all those wins under your belt. I think it kind of gives me the confidence to, in really tight situations, just continue to go for whatever I want to.
Madison Keys said via Indian Wells Press
Keys is seeking to become the first American woman to win the Indian Wells in 24 years. The last American was Serena Williams, who won it in 2001. If Keys does achieve it, she will cement her legacy three months into the season.
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