Madison Keys is in the semifinals of the US Open and she could not be more satisfied with her game after eliminating the champion of Wimbledon Marketa Vondruosova in two straight sets.
“I knew that she probably raise her level so just really focused on trying to keep doing what was working and not get rattled if there were longer points or she came up with some really good shots and just trying to keep going, keep the momentum going, and not panic.”
“I have been really focusing on the serve, actually it’s funny Bjorn [her fiance] has been wanting me to go after it more so he said if I hit a 121 I get anything that I want. I hit a 119 tonight so I was so close.
“But, no honestly it’s just I feel like I’ve trying to pick my spots and be really smart with it. I think these courts for the most part are kind of taking the ball pretty well, so it is really need to overdo things.”
“So I’ve just been trying to be really smart and more placement than anything and kind of game plan tonight was try to get to the net when I could. Definitely not in any sort of rush to get to the net, but just trying to set points up and kind of having that momentum of going forward.”
Keys said that she tried to control herself during the game with shots and straight hits and found the right moment to put her opponent in difficulty. She also remembered the last match they had in Wimbledon.
“There are a couple of things I can take from the match. The number one thing is that she beat me, but I think that there still gonna be similar patterns and tendencies that she had that I can definitely lean into and also in the second set at Wimbledon I was up a break and I had chances. I was definitely in the match and had opportunities.
“So, I think even though I lost that match, wasn’t like you know. I wasn’t in the match and had no idea what I was doing out there. So, I think there’s a lot of positives that I can take out of that match and try to implement tomorrow.”
She will play in the semis with Aryna Sabalenka who holds the number 2 position in the WTA rankings. This is going to be a really difficult test for Keys as she is showing good tennis in this US Open. Her forehand is fantastic and she offers her opponents high-intensity and difficult points. Right now Sabalenka is the favorite, but anything can happen.
