BRISBANE (Australia) — Madison Keys was relishing being back on her happy hunting ground in Adelaide, where a year ago her run to first Grand Slam title all began. The American swept to the 2025 Adelaide International trophy and it sparked her run to an Australian Open triumph, won in an epic final against Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park.
“It definitely helped a lot,” the 30-year-old American told reporters on the eve of the WTA Adelaide event.
Keys also won in 2022 on her only other appearance in the South Australia city, and thinks that is a good omen for her Australian Open preparation.
“Twice before I’ve played Adelaide and I ended up making the semis of the Australian Open. And then last year obviously I went deep,” said Keys, the world No 7, according to AFP.
The Australian Open is just a week away and Keys is taking only positives from her defeat to Sabalenka at the season-opening Brisbane International last week.
“You want matches at the beginning of the season. You really want to test yourself,” said Keys, who has a first-round bye in Adelaide.
“Getting as many good matches as possible helps you figure out what’s working, what’s not working, where to make some tweaks here or there.
“It also gives you a lot of confidence and momentum.”
Keys is the second seed in Adelaide behind fellow American Jessica Pegula with Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, seeded third.
“I’ve never lost here so far, so I would like to keep that streak alive,” said Keys.
“That would be a pretty cool record of mine to have. So that’s definitely the goal.”
Sabalenka, aiming for her third Melbourne title in four years when the Australian Open begins on January 18, said the Brisbane tournament was helping her find form ahead of the first major of the year.
“I’m just trying to bring on court things I have been working on the pre-season, such as coming to the net,” she said.
“I was working on my serve and it seems that it’s working a little bit better.
“I’m just trying to get some matches, get some wins, get the rhythm going again.”
The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.
Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years. “I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I’m playing better and better,” she said.
“That’s really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents.
“So I’m super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here.”
Kostyuk, who entered the week ranked 26th in the world, swept past world No 6 Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in just 55 minutes in a stunning display of power and aggression.
Kostyuk’s demolition of the American made it three wins over top 10 players in succession.
She beat world No 3 Amanda Anisimova in the third round and ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
“I think it was one of those days when everything you touch turns into gold,” Kostyuk said.
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