Revenge is a dish best served cold and Aryna Sabalenka got her wish in 51 cold-blooded minutes on a glacial Friday evening at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. 

In a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final, the world No. 1 snapped Madison Keys 16-match winning streak with a 6-0, 6-1 victory to earn a spot in the final alongside 17-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva. 

The three-time major champion hasn’t been shy about expressing her desire to avenge that loss. She put her money where her mouth is on Friday with a pitch-perfect display of power, control and determination on Stadium 1. 

“I didn’t expect this match to be that fast,” a smiling Sabalenka said after reaching her second BNP Paribas Open final in the last three years.  

“I’m super happy with the way I played today – much-needed revenge.” 

There was enough easy power on display to light up the night sky in the early moments of the pair’s seventh career meeting, but the precision in this contest was decidedly in Sabalenka’s favor.

It was Sabalenka who got on the front foot early. When she ripped a forehand winner past Keys for 3-0, only 10 minutes had elapsed on the match clock. Keys has been so resourceful during her career best winning streak, but she couldn’t summon the magic that guided her to an amazing breakthrough in Australia in January against Sabalenka.

The 30-year-old American never got settled in the windy conditions, and handed the reins to rock-solid Sabalenka, who was more than happy to drive the victory home. 

A Keys double-fault handed the top seed a double break for a  4-0 lead in set one, ten unforced errors in those first four games contributing to her demise. When Sabalenka quickly tacked on two more games and closed out the bagel set at the 24-minute mark, it was obvious that Friday wouldn’t be Keys’ night. 

Bidding to become the first American woman to win the Indian Wells title since Serena Williams in 2001, Keys tried to turn things around early in the second set, but could not convert a pivotal break point in the first game.

That opportunity squandered, Keys first service game of the second set suddenly was a must-win endeavor. 

She lost it. 

Her third unforced error of the next game handed Sabalenka yet another break and a 6-0, 2-0 lead. Applause rained down from the rafters as fans tried to encourage the newly minted major champion, but there would be no salvation on this evening.

Two more games blew by, Keys’ shoulders sagging as ruthless Sabalenka stretched the lead to 6-0, 4-0 at the 41-minute mark; a backhand winner, scorched down the line, took the run of consecutive games to 11.

But there would be no double bagel. 

An ace out wide to lock down the next game gave Keys a temporary reprieve. She sheepishly raised her arms aloft as the crowd showered her with cheers – a short-lived, bittersweet moment. 

Sabalenka, who has yet to drop a set at Indian Wells this year, finished her victory in the ensuing game, closing the door on one of the most decisive victories of her Indian Wells career. 

Sabalenka will meet Andreeva for the sixth time in Sunday’s women’s singles final, with the World No. 1 holding the 4-1 lifetime edge. 

“I’m really looking forward to facing this teenager, it’s kind of like old mama playing against the kid,” Sabalenka said of the 17-year-old who took out two-time champion Iga Swiatek in Friday’s first semifinal. “It’s crazy, what she does at such a young age – it’s impressive to see. It’s going to be a great match.”