2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys maintained exceptional discipline as she stunned this year’s Wimbledon winner, Marketa Vondrousova to reach the semifinals. This year’s edition has seen a series of lopsided matches in the quarters and Madison Keys contributed to another upset.
The American defeated the Czech after 86 minutes of grueling battle in the heat to finally win 6-1, 6-4. With temperatures hovering around 94 degrees and humidity at 50%, players, especially from the East European nations, struggled in the heat and found it difficult to breathe.
Russian Daniil Medvedev found it equally hard to concentrate on his game and was equally troubled by that even as he beat fellow countryman Andrey Rublev. Despite his 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Rublev, Medvedev was put off by the conditions. He said that someone could die in the heat. But by the time Madison Keys was on the court, the temperature was down to a bearable 87 degrees. She maintained her domination and earned her first semifinal spot at the US Open.
Madison Keys Is Up Against One Of The Toughest Players On The Tennis Circuit
Madison Keys is next up against Aryna Sabalenka in the quarters. They will be meeting again in the quarters after the Belarussian beat her in straight sets at Wimbledon. For Keys, this is her third time in the US Open semis. She will be up against one of the toughest of the upcoming players on the tennis circuit.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka hasn’t dropped a set in this tournament. She is also the first after Serena Williams 7 years ago to make it to the semis of all 4 grand slams. She won the Australian Open this year and has an enviable 22-2-win record at the majors this year.
Madison Keys will have the home crowd firmly rooting for her. And she is on a dream run. The native of Illinois fought back from all the 9 break points she faced against the Czech and even hit 4 aces. She kept up the unrelenting pressure throughout the game.
