MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Having wallowed in a “darkish cloud” at the beginning of the yr, Madison Keys booked her first Grand Slam semi-finals in 4 years on Tuesday with a 6-3 6-2 upset of Barbora Krejcikova on the Australian Open.
Keys’ renaissance after a dismal 2021 season has lit up Melbourne Park this yr, and at a baking scorching Rod Laver Arena, fourth seed Krejcikova grew to become one other casualty of the American’s new-found confidence and conventional firepower.
Banging down back-to-back aces to say the primary set, Keys roared to a 3-0 lead within the second earlier than a uncommon wobble on serve gifted French Open champion Krejcikova a break.
Unbowed, Keys unleashed a blistering forehand return winner down the road to interrupt again and sealed the match with a thumping first serve that Krejcikova may solely push lengthy.
Keys will play the winner of Australian world primary Ash Barty and American Jessica Pegula for a spot within the ultimate.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
