Madison Keys owns the booming serve, heavy strokes and aggressive game that make her a major player on grass.
The explosive Keys tuned up for Wimbledon putting all of those assets to use in defeating Barbora Strycova, 6-3, 6-4, to collect her second career title in Birmingham yesterday.
Keys carries a clear goal into Wimbledon: Improve on her 2015 quarterfinal result.
More: Keys Sweeps Strycova in Birmingham Final
"I mean, I made the quarterfinals last year, so I feel like I've done well at Wimbledon," Keys said. "Obviously, the quarterfinals isn't what I want. I want more. So I'm going to do whatever I can to try to achieve more."
Over the last three years, Keys has posted a 17-4 grass-court record with both of her career titles coming on lawn. She edged then world No. 9 Angelique Kerber in the 2014 Eastbourne final.
Keys can command the center of the court with her sledgehammer forehand. Athleticism, aggression moving forward her ability to dictate play against almost anyone gives the 21-year-old Keys a comfort level on lawn.
"This the only surface that I have a title on. Obviously, it's one of my favorites," Keys said. "It definitely suits my game. I feel pretty comfortable playing on it. "Hopefully, I can win a couple more tournaments on this. I would love to do well at Wimbledon whenever I can."
Her Wimbledon aspirations should be aided by the fact the world No. 10 will have her highest seed at the grass-court Grand Slam.
"I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to win Wimbledon, but obviously, I'd really like to," Keys said.
Reigning champion Serena Williams, Roland Garros champion and 2015 Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova are the favorites to raise the Rosewater Dish.
If Keys can continue to show the sharp form she did in Birmingham, the woman whom Serena predicts will "get to number one in the world so easy" can contend at The Championsips though Keys knows being a Top 10 seed at a Grand Slam for the first time brings its own level of pressure.
"I think I've been pretty lucky the last couple years just because there's been so many other American players that have taken the spotlight at times," Keys said. "I think we've shared it, so I think that's been helpful.
"But I think in the last year or so, I've learned how to handle the outside opinions and pressures a lot better. It's great to hear and I love that (Serena) thinks that seeing how successful she's been, but that just makes me work harder."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy