American Madison Keys showcased her impressive firepower to blast past fifth seed Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the Australian Open semifinals for the third time in her career. The 29-year-old from Illinois overcame a slow start to impose her aggressive game and secure the hard-fought victory in less than two hours.
Keys Unleashes Power Game
After dropping the opening set, Keys raised her level and began to take control of the rallies with her booming groundstrokes. The world No. 20 smashed 34 winners, including 17 off her forehand wing, to keep Svitolina under constant pressure.
“I kind of just had to start playing a little bit more aggressive and try to get to the net a bit quicker,” Keys said after the match. “She was controlling a lot of the points and making me run so I felt like I needed to try and get on the advantage a little bit quicker and luckily I was able to do that.”
– Madison Keys
Overcoming Tough Resistance
Svitolina, a semifinalist in Melbourne in 2019, made Keys work for every point. The Ukrainian’s stellar defense and counter-punching skills helped her build a one-set lead. But Keys remained patient and waited for her opportunities to attack.
The critical moment came with Svitolina serving at 3-3 in the second set. Keys earned a break point with a scintillating backhand return winner and converted it as Svitolina misfired on a forehand. That single break was enough for Keys to level the match.
Securing the Decisive Break
Both players traded comfortable service holds to start the final set until Keys made her move in the seventh game. At 30-30, the American cracked a ferocious inside-out forehand winner to bring up break point. On the next point, Svitolina faltered, sending a backhand long to hand Keys a crucial 4-3 lead.
Keys never looked back, holding serve comfortably and sealing the win on her first match point as a Svitolina backhand sailed wide. The former US Open finalist let out a roar of “Come on!” as she celebrated reaching her third Australian Open semifinal.
A Look Ahead
Next up for Keys is a semifinal showdown against either second seed Iga Swiatek or eighth seed Emma Navarro. Keys holds a 1-2 record against Swiatek and has never faced the rising American star Navarro. No matter the opponent, Keys will be aiming to reach her first Australian Open final and capture an elusive maiden Grand Slam title.
With her power game firing on all cylinders and her renewed confidence, Madison Keys has emerged as a serious threat to go all the way in Melbourne. If the American can maintain her aggressive tactics and bold shotmaking, a first Grand Slam trophy could well be within reach for the resurgent 29-year-old.
