Keys Powers Into Australian Open Quarterfinals

January 22, 2018 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Madison Keys
Photo Credit: Sidney Beal III

 

Madison Keys continued her unconscious play at the Australian Open, bulldozing her way into the final eight with a 6-3, 6-2 win over eighth-seed Caroline Garcia of France.

Garcia had been playing excellent tennis dating back to the fall where she eventually reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Singapore, but Keys was just too much for her on Monday. Despite falling behind 0-2 early in the first set, Keys stormed back to win 12 of the next 15 games.

“I’m really excited. I think I’m playing well, especially in tight moments I’m handling my emotions well. I’m really happy to be in the quarterfinals.”

Keys completely took the fight to Garcia, hitting 32 winners compared to nine and winning 78 percent of the points on her first serve.

She will take on former champion and 21st seed Angelique Kerber for a spot in the semifinals. Kerber fought back to defeat Su-Wei Hsieh 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Top-seed Simona Halep rebounded from her 15-13 win over Lauren Davis in the final third-set in the previous round with an impressive 6-3, 6-2 win over Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

“I moved her. I stayed there. I tried not to miss that much. I tried also to push her back, which I did,” said Halep. “She couldn’t dominate the game. I did, I dominated. I went to the net a lot. I finished the point when I felt that it’s time.”

Halep will square off with sixth-seed Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals. Pliskova completed the quarterfinal field with a late-night 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 win against her compatriot Barbora Strycova. 

 

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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