Home Australia Iga Swiatek is blasted for using a dirty tactic in her stunning Australian Open loss to Madison Keys

Iga Swiatek is blasted for using a dirty tactic in her stunning Australian Open loss to Madison Keys

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Iga Swiatek (above left) is shown practicing swings with her back to Madison Keys as the American attempts to serve to start the third set on Thursday night in Melbourne.

Iga Swiatek has been accused of using underhanded tactics in her shock loss to Madison Keys in an epic semi-final at the Australian Open on Thursday night.

The world No 2 had been crushed 6-1 in the second set when the American launched a furious comeback and Keys was trying to serve to start the second when her opponent left fans fuming with a bizarre display.

Instead of preparing to receive, Swiatek turned her back to Keys and took a series of practice shots behind the baseline while the American bounced the ball and waited patiently.

The Channel Nine commentator said: “The time has come, but Iga is not ready yet”, although the song “Sweet Caroline” could still be heard over the pitch speakers.

Swiatek approached the baseline after another referee call, and Keys gave the perfect response by sending an ace right into the middle of the court.

Many tennis fans condemned Swiatek’s actions online after the incident, which did not penalize her for wasting time.

Iga Swiatek (above left) is shown practicing swings with her back to Madison Keys as the American attempts to serve to start the third set on Thursday night in Melbourne.

Swiatek did not receive a foul for his bizarre display, despite Channel Nine commentators saying the referee had called time.

Swiatek did not receive a foul for his bizarre display, despite Channel Nine commentators saying the referee had called time.

Tennis fans left furious by Swiatek's display of playing ability

Tennis fans left furious by Swiatek’s display of playing ability

1737672826 91 Iga Swiatek is blasted for using a dirty tactic in

‘Iga Swiatek’s dirty tactics against Madison Keys. Why didn’t the referee warn him for a time violation? one wrote.

‘Swiatek’s dirty tactics are back. He loses the set 6-1 and makes Keys wait for him to serve. Keys is clearly not happy,” another commented.

‘Iga always does this kind of tactics… when he loses a set!’ added another.

“Yes… amazing player, but bad sportsmanship and sneaky behavior on the court,” wrote a third.

‘Iga always plays dirty. Thank God for the keys to ending this mess,’ commented another.

However, some other fans defended the Pole, saying she was within her rights to take her time because they claimed the referee had not clearly called time.

The victory means Keys reached her first Australian Open decider, saving a match point before completing her stunning upset.

The Polish superstar had not lost a set in his previous five matches this campaign and was on course to advance in search of a sixth Grand Slam title.

But Keys, determined and brave, fought back to win 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) to set up a title decider against two-time defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Keys, seeded No. 19, finished the match in tears after holding her nerves during a tiebreaker to reach the second Grand Slam final of her career, and her first in more than seven years.

Keys had the perfect response to the Polish star's tactics, sending an ace straight to the center of the court before winning an absolute thriller.

Keys had the perfect response to the Polish star’s tactics, sending an ace straight to the center of the court before winning an absolute thriller.

‘I’m still trying to catch up with everything that’s happening. “I’m in the final,” Keys said excitedly on the court.

“That match was of a very high level and she played very well.

“I feel like I was just fighting to stay in there and I really ran with it in the second and then the third was just a battle.”

“To be able to be here and be in the final is absolutely incredible and I’m so excited to be able to be here on Saturday.”

A series of unforced errors hurt Keys in the first set, but the 29-year-old found her rhythm in the second.

The 25-minute demolition job was the first set world No. 2 Swiatek lost in the entire tournament.

Keys dropped serve at five in the third set and faced match point at 40-30 on Swiatek’s delivery, only to hit a superb return of serve to save the day before sending the match to a tiebreaker.

“Even though I lost the first set, I felt like I was playing better tennis at the end and actually had a little bit of momentum going into the second set,” Keys said.

Keys survived a match point to beat Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) and set up a battle with Aryna Sabalenka for the women's Open crown.

Keys survived a match point to beat Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) and set up a battle with Aryna Sabalenka for the women’s Open crown.

“Being able to run with that second set and really settle was really nice.

‘The third set was very up and down, and there were so many important points.

‘I feel like I blacked out at some point and I was just out there running.

“Being able to stay and keep fighting and then a 10-point tiebreaker for a more dramatic finish.”

‘In the end I felt like we were both fighting some nerves and we were really just pushing each other.

‘It just became who can get that final point and who can be a little bit better than the other. I’m happy it was me.’

By reaching the final, Keys equaled her best result in a Grand Slam.

The former world number 7, who also reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park in 2015 and 2022, was defeated by Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final.

Now she wants to improve, but she faces a big obstacle: the powerful Belarusian Sabalenka, who aspires to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-1999) to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park.

“There will definitely be some big shots, not a lot of long points,” Keys said.

‘She’s in her third Australian Open and I’m excited to be able to play against her.

“I’m very excited for the challenge, but Saturday is very far from my mind at the moment.”

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