Madison Keys has made the quarterfinal of the US Open. It’s her best showing here since 2017, when she made the final and 2018, when she made the semifinal. The American has the potential to go all the way this time.
Madison Keys on course for maiden slam
28-year-old Keys has impressed so far at Flushing Meadows. The American has dropped only one set to this point. Keys was unstoppable against compatriot and third seed Jessica Pegula last round. The older American was no match for the 17th seed, who eased through the first set dropping only one game.
Keys needed only one break of serve to take the second set and the match in straight sets, to upset the third seed and open up that section of the draw. Liudmila Samsonova, the 14th seed, has been the closest to Keys so far. Their ranking is similar and the Russian took a very close first set. Samsonova is the only player to date here to take a set off the American. Keys to this point has lost a total of 20 games over the four rounds–an average of five per match.
Going all the way
Standing in her way of another semi final is Wimbledon champion and ninth seed Marketa Vondrousova. The Czech has never made it beyond the fourth round at Flushing Meadows and that was back in 2018. Since then Vondrousova has struggled here, getting knocked out in the second round or not playing at all.
This though, cannot be taken as a stroll for Keys. The Czech had never progressed beyond the second round at Wimbledon, until this year when she won the whole thing. This should stand Vondrousova in good stead regarding knowing the feeling of making the latter stages of a slam, but she has only done it once.
Keys knows the courts, she has been beyond this stage before. The crowd will be behind her, as the “underdog” ranking wise. Americans would love another American winner of their home Grand Slam. Keys is looking good to reach the business end of the tournament. The 28-year-old will be confident going into the match, having dispatched the third seed already. However, she won’t be taking her opposition lightly. Facing a Grand Slam champion, regardless of the surface can be daunting.
If Madison Keys can keep up the pressure and continue playing as she has been, the American looks good to claim her maiden Grand Slam title on home soil. There is every chance that she can do it, just needs to navigate the quarter final before looking too far ahead.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
