Madison Keys says she kept telling herself to be brave down the stretch of a tight third set in the Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Madison Keys appeared destined for a Grand Slam trophy. 16 years later on a breezy night in Melbourne, she held it in her hands.

The American tennis player, 29, secured her first grand slam title on Jan. 25, achieving a breakthrough win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who was vying for what would have been a historic three-peat. The women's singles match at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena saw Keys win 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.