Aryna Sabalenka confirmed to retain WTA No #1 ranking after Iga Swiatek's semi-final exit from Australian Open

Two-time defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, will face Madison Keys in the title clash at Australian Open.

Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Australian Open 2025 semi-finals, losing to 19th seed Madison Keys in an incredible game of tennis. Easily the best women’s singles match of the competition so far, Swiatek failed to convert the chances that came her way which cost her dearly in the end.

The Pole won the first set in a see-saw battle, but had no answers to Keys’ barrage in the second set. A tight contest followed in the deciding set, with Swiatek finally breaking the American’s serve to serve for a spot in the final. At 40-30 and match-point, Swiatek failed to maintain her cool and eventually lost the game owing to a shocking double-fault.

A 10-point tie breaker witnessed Keys reach the Australian Open final, her first Grand Slam final since 2017 US Open. The American will fight for the silverware against two-time and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier in the day booked her place in the final for the third consecutive time.

After being broken in her very first serving game and trailing 0-2 to Paula Badosa, the Belarusian returned to her original self and claimed the first set 6-4. The Spaniard was unable to make any inroads in the second game as Sabalenka wrapped up the match quickly to register yet another straight sets victory at the Rod Laver Arena.

While the fight for the championship and a rare three-peat continues for the 26-year-old, her win over Badosa combined with Swiatek’s loss ensures that Sabalenka will retain her number one ranking at the end of the Australian Open, regardless of the final’s outcome.

Swiatek, who had her best Australian open campaign, faltered at the most crucial stage, which will certainly sting the Polish. She retains her number two ranking while Coco Gauff stays at number three, despite her quarter-final defeat.

Jasmine Paolini remains at number four, and Elena Rybakina, who lost to Keys in the fourth round has re-entered the top five WTA rankings, replacing Qinwen Zheng, who was knocked out in the second round.

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