There was a warm embrace at the net, and sustained applause from Serena Williams as Madison Keys left Rod Laver Arena. Bravo. But if this is the most we have seen of the 19-year-old American at a grand slam tournament so far, prepare to see much, much more.
Williams expects to, having won Thursday's semi-final 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 against her slightly wounded countrywoman, but needing nine match points to finally put her away. Sloane Stephens was the last American teenager to reach a grand slam semi-final, at Melbourne Park two years ago, and she was unseeded this year. So nothing is certain, but Keys does appeal as a safer bet.
"I think she's going to be winning these tournaments very soon, and lots of other grand slams," Williams said on-court. Afterwards: "I think she'll be really good. I think she can go really, really far. I think she can be the best in the world. The way she played today I definitely think she has potential to be No.1 and win Grand Slams. It's exciting to see.
"It's great to see her do so well as an American, as well. Myself and my sister, we've been fighting so long. Now she's coming up. So many other Americans, as well. But her in particular, just doing so well consistently. She just has this desire to be the best. That's what it takes."
US Fed Cup captain Mary-Jo Fernandez, wearing her commentary hat, was similarly enthused [if not necessarily objective, but tennis is a small and rather incestuous world]. "We are going to see his young woman in many more semi-finals in majors; in my opinion, winning majors," said Fernandez, a former world No.4. "The future is now for Madison Keys. She has announced herself. Expect big things."
Done. How could one not? Big game. Big-time attitude and composure. Big, big future. In her first major semi, she matched Williams for aces and service speed, and often hit an even bigger ball off the ground.
Sharapova, too, joined in the chorus for the first-time entrant into the top 20 when the new WTA list comes out on Monday. "A very powerful player on both wings, especially the serve," said the world No.2. "She's someone that I've watched for a few years now kind of rising up the rankings. And, yeah, I think this is her real breakthrough. The potential she has is tremendous."
Keys was happy to have got so far, further than before. Now, just looking forward to more. "Hopefully have a couple where I'm with the trophy at the end of the week," she said, aware that plenty will change now that she is no longer the talented-but-unseeded outsider. "It's one of those things where eventually in your career, it kind of switches from being the young up-and-comer to someone who has had results and the other person is trying to raise their level," she said of her new status. "I think it's a privilege. I'm just going to do my best to try to stay here."
