Keys, the No. 19 seed and a two-time semifinalist at Melbourne Park, had won the first set. But Rybakina, who like Keys is a precise winner machine when she is playing the tennis she wants to play, had taken the second by seizing the initiative and playing on her front foot. Halfway to the finish, Keys had become a passive counterpuncher.

Keys leads the WTA Tour with 12 wins this season and is now on a 10-match unbeaten streak. Swiatek or Navarro await in last four.

American Madison Keys defeated sixth seed Elena Rybakina in a thrilling match at the Australian Open, advancing to the quarter-finals. Despite a strong start and a challenging second set, Keys regained momentum to secure her third victory over a top-10 player this month.