Swiatek had been in imperious type in Melbourne, shedding simply 14 video games throughout her 5 matches earlier than the semi-finals.
For context, solely three gamers in historical past have dropped fewer video games in making the final 4 on the Australian Open in a 128-player draw throughout the Open period.
Nevertheless, the four-time French Open winner was undone by an impressed Keys, decided to win an Australian Open semi-final on the third try.
A messy begin that includes 5 breaks of serve within the opening six video games set the tone for an ungainly night time underneath Rod Laver Enviornment roof for Swiatek, who broke for a fourth time to take the primary set earlier than capitulating within the second.
Keys took simply 27 minutes to overwhelm Swiatek reeling off 5 straight video games to pressure a deciding set.
Each gamers saved quite a few break factors as the strain ramped up throughout an enthralling, high-quality deciding set.
Swiatek ultimately took her eighth alternative to interrupt for a 6-5 lead however, after failing to take her first match level, conceded serve with a double fault.
A winner-takes-all tie-break was what Keys and the match deserved however Swiatek appeared to be answerable for it at 7-5 up.
Nevertheless, in a closing spectacular present of bodily and psychological resilience, Keys gained 5 of the subsequent six factors to finish a sensational win after two hours and 35 minutes.