ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) — Madison Keys was relishing being back on her happy hunting ground in Adelaide on Sunday, where a year ago her run to first Grand Slam title all began.

The American swept to the 2025 Adelaide International trophy and it sparked her run to an Australian Open triumph, won in an epic final against Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park.

"It definitely helped a lot," the 30-year-old American told reporters on the eve of the WTA Adelaide event.

Keys also won in 2022 on her only other appearance in the South Australia city, and thinks that is a good omen for her Australian Open preparation. 

"Twice before I've played Adelaide and I ended up making the semis of the Australian Open. And then last year obviously I went deep," said Keys, the world No. 7.

The Australian Open is just a week away and Keys is taking only positives from her defeat to Sabalenka at the season-opening Brisbane International last week.

"You want matches at the beginning of the season. You really want to test yourself," said Keys, who has a first-round bye in Adelaide. 

"Getting as many good matches as possible helps you figure out what's working, what's not working, where to make some tweaks here or there.”

"It also gives you a lot of confidence and momentum."

Keys is the second seed in Adelaide behind fellow American Jessica Pegula with Russia's Mirra Andreeva, seeded third.

"I've never lost here so far, so I would like to keep that streak alive," Keys said. 

"That would be a pretty cool record of mine to have. So that's definitely the goal."