Iga Swiatek repeats controversial move during her win over Madison Keys at the Madrid Open which led to heavy criticism previously

Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek produced another exciting match for tennis fans around the world.

Three months on from their epic Australian Open Showdown, the pair battled for a spot in the last four of the Madrid Open.

Both players had contrasting routes through to the quarter-finals in the Spanish capital, as Madison Keys did not drop a set before facing Swiatek, while two of the Pole’s three matches went to a deciding set.

After another hard-fought contest, it was Iga Swiatek who prevailed, but not without using a tactic she has been criticised for in the past.

Iga Swiatek repeats controversial move against Madison Keys at the Madrid Open

After losing the second set to Keys in January’s Australian Open semi-final, Swiatek took an extended break from the court.

This was a move that some fans were unhappy with and they made their feelings known on social media platform X.

But the World number two proceeded to do the same thing after losing the first set against Keys in their Madrid Open quarter-final.

Keys sat waiting for some time before Swiatek reappeared and went on to win the second set, before completing a comeback 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Keys is now the second player in the past 40 years to defeat a top-five opponent at a WTA clay court event after losing the first set without winning a game.

It took one hour and 46 minutes for Swiatek to keep her hopes alive of defending the Madrid Open title.

Sky Sports commentator Jamie Delgado reacts to Iga Swiatek beating Madison keys in Madrid

Swiatek’s run to the Madrid Open semi-finals has been far from plain sailing. The 23-year-old has been taken to a final set in three of her four matches, twice losing the opening set.

But she is finding ways to grind out results and Sky Sports commentator and coach Jamie Delgado thinks Swiatek will take plenty of confidence from beating Keys.

“[Iga] Swiatek, what a match to win. You don’t always play your best tennis, and I don’t think she did today,” he said after the match.

“I don’t think at any point she felt really comfortable, but she dug deep, she found away, she cut down on her own unforced errors.

“Started serving a little bit better, got the match a little bit dirty, won some of those big points at the right time, and those matches that can build a lot of confidence, I’m expecting her to keep progressing and build on that.”