Keys clutch on big points, returns to US Open semi-finals with win over Vondrousova

Madison Keys, who finished runner-up at the 2017 US Open and was a semi-finalist in 2018, is back in the last four thanks to a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday night.

Keys triumphed after one hour and 26 minutes, booking her spot in what will be a huge-hitting showdown against Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday. Sabalenka advanced earlier on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Qinwen Zheng.

Keys saves all nine break points against her

Although the scoreline looks relatively lopsided, Vondrousova was actually quite competitive. The reigning Wimbledon champion simply could not convert her chances. She earned three break points in the first set and six more in the second. Not a single one was converted.

Vondrousova had five opportunities alone while Keys was serving down 3-4 in set two. Had the left-hander capitalised on any of them, she would have served for the set at 5-3. Instead, Keys managed to hold and then immediately seize a break of her own at 4-4. The world No 17 proceeded to survive a pair of deuces at 5-4 and eventually converted her third match point to clinch victory.

Keys hopes to avenge Wimbledon loss to Sabalenka

Thursday’s contest between Sabalenka and Keys marks a rematch of this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals. Sabalenka won that encounter 6-2, 6-4 to take a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series.

Their only previous hard-court meeting came five years ago in Cincinnati, where the Belarusian prevailed 6-3, 6-4.

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