By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday August 17, 2019
Madison Keys’ torrid tennis continued at the Western and Southern Open on Saturday as the American battled past the rising Sonya Kenin and into the Cincy Tennis final with a 7-5 6-4 triumph.
Keys, who had rolled past four former or current Top 10 players to reach the semi-finals, produced some truly inspired tennis to get through a competitive 82-minute tilt with the World No.22.
14 aces and seven of ten break points saved was good enough for the American, as she was able to consistently pressure Kenin’s serve and broke five times on ten opportunities.
"I kind of just had to really focus in on my return games and put the same amount of pressure on her," Keys said. "And then I think at the end I really kind of found my groove and figured out how I wanted to play the points."
Keys is in a great place after snapping a five-match losing streak to Simona Halep in the round of 16 and then overpowering Venus Williams on Friday with a jaw-dropping display of power tennis.
“Maddie just had great returns and just played really well. Like I said, credits to her,” Kenin told reporters after the match.
The American has nothing to hang her head about. Kenin has notched wins against the WTA’s top-ranked player in successive weeks and she will make her Top 20 debut next week.
“I'm really proud of myself,” she said. “Getting to the semis in Toronto was really good, and playing second week, you know, getting into semifinals is just really good. “Pysically I'm a little tired, of course, but I'm holding up well. I'm playing well, having a great weeks and great year, so everything is just looking good for me. I'm 20, so we've got to celebrate…”
Keys has cause for celebration also. She looks like she is moving better than ever and she will bid for her fifth career title against the resurgent Svetlana Kuznetsova on Sunday.
Keys has always had the offensive chops but this week many of her highlights have come from the defensive side. She has played with intelligence and patience and improvised well.
If she continues to do so, she may soon be making her way deep through the U.S. Open draw.