Madison Keys Continues Hard Court Dominance in Cincinnati
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Hard courts have always been the surface that best reward Madison Keys’ fast, flat shots.
As the year dawned, she won her first 12 matches on those quick courts in Australia, taking the title in Adelaide, then winning her first Grand Slam singles crown in Melbourne.
Coming into the Cincinnati Open, the 30-year-old American’s hard-court record was a lofty 20-3.
And while keys seemed in doubt for virtually all of the match, she rallied to score a draining 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1) win over up-and-coming Eva Lys.
A Comeback Victory
keys saved two break points to get to that deciding tiebreak, then threw the hammer down, winning seven of eight points. When it was over,Keys raised both her arms and pumped her fists — more in relief than jubilation at her favorite tournament on tour.
“I just kept trying to listen to everyone here cheering me,” Keys said in her on-court interview. “It helped me get back into the match and across the finish line.”
Resilience and Consistency
In many respects,the comeback victory was typical of Keys’ breakthrough season. She’s now won 10 matches after losing the first set and 15 that went the distance — both the standard on the Hologic WTA Tour.
Keys has won 18 matches in Cincinnati, her highest single-tournament total after Charleston (21).
Key Takeaways
- Keys excels on hard courts due to her powerful, flat shots.
- She has demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning numerous matches after losing the first set.
- Cincinnati is a notably successful tournament for Keys, with 18 wins.
On Monday, Keys will play a third-round match against qualifier Aoi Ito.
Looking Ahead
Madison Keys’ continued success on hard courts positions her as a strong contender for upcoming tournaments. Her ability to fight back from deficits and perform under pressure makes her a formidable opponent. We can expect to see her continue to leverage her strengths and challenge for major titles throughout the remainder of the season.