“That match was such high level, she played so well and I felt like I was trying to stay with it, then kind of ran through the second set and the third was just a battle.” A jubilant Madison Keys couldn’t resist sharing her admiration for five-time slam queen Iga Swiatek despite the latter ending on a losing side in a cliffhanger at the Australian Open. An intense SF clash saw the two WTA stars going all out for victory to seal a spot in the summit clash at the Rod Laver Arena. In the end, it was Keys who held her nerves and won with a score line of 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8). Later, she emerged as the winner, too, defeating Sabalenka in the final. But guess what? It’s time for a rematch between the American and the Pole – three months after they met down under. And it’s safe to say, Keys is quite confident to go against Swiatek, again.
Since her Australian Open triumph, Keys has struggled to keep up the winning momentum. Due to a leg injury, she had to skip the Middle East swing in February. When she came back on the court, at the Indian Wells, the American showed a promising run. She made it to the SF stage. However, the next tournament saw her making an early exit. A 19-year-old Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala ousted her in R32 with a score line of 6-4, 6-2. Then at the Charleston Open, Anna Kalinskaya beat her in R16 with a score line of 6-2, 6-4.
This week, at the Madrid Open, Keys is looking in fine form after a long time. On Tuesday, she beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic to enter the quarterfinal stage of the event. But guess who she’s going against in the next battle on Wednesday? It’s none other than former World No.1, Iga Swiatek. The latter has not won a title this season but has maintained consistency, especially on the clay surface. She’s been a former Madrid Open champion too! So how’s Keys preparing for this rematch since their meeting in Australia?
In an interaction with Tennis Channel, dated April 30, the World No. 5 said, “I at least have that it’s a little bit faster here. So, I have that going for me and I think the other thing is that there’s lots of room for improvement from last year. So, all good things.” Keys’ last three appearances in Madrid (2021, 2022, and 2024) have been a rollercoaster ride. After crashing out in back-to-back R64, she managed to reach the semis last season. But eventual winner Swiatek ended her run with a score line of 6-1, 6-3. But Keys does not feel to be on the back foot.
She continued, “There’s a few things I think I did really well in Australia, especially after dropping that first set and being able to bounce back so quickly, that I can really just try to rely on and try to implement tomorrow.”
Madison Keys knows that facing Swiatek is always a tough ask for her. Barring this year’s meeting down under, she’s mostly struggled against the Pole. The latter is leading the h2h tally 4-2 as of now. She acknowledged this scenario. But trusting her skills going into the match, she added, “It’s obviously her best surface (clay), she’s won this tournament multiple times, so definitely a tough ask but looking forward to it”
Now, what about her opponent? Well, Swiatek’s full of positive spirit, especially after securing a hard-earned win on Tuesday. Going into the QF battle, the Pole is feeling determined to make a phenomenal run, again, in Madrid.
Iga Swiatek oozes confidence ahead of her rematch with Madison Keys
On Tuesday, Iga Swiatek faced a tough opponent in Russia’s Diana Shnaider. The latter gave her a run for her money. After the Pole snatched the first set with a bagel, Shnaider came back strongly. In a tiebreak, she took the second set 7-6 (3). It was only in the third set that the former World No.1 was able to wrap up the contest, with a final score line of 6-0, 6-7, 6-4.
With the R16 win, Swiatek became the first player to enter 17 successive QF rounds from WTA main draws on clay. Last time, it was legend Martina Hingis who accomplished this feat. She entered 19 straight quarterfinals between Hilton Head (1997) and Hamburg (2002). During the post-match interview, the Pole admired Shnaider while reflecting on her win.
“Today was a tricky day, so I’m happy I’m through. For sure, Diana played well, so I’m happy I found a way even though in the second set I started to play a bit worse than the first,” reported Tennis Channel on April 29.
The five-time slam winner added, “When it’s getting hotter, you need to control the ball a little bit more. I’m through to the quarters so I guess you can say I adjusted. I’m happy I’ll have another chance to play here.”
Given Swiatek’s current form, do you think she will take her revenge on Keys this time? Or the American will manage to stun the Pole once again after Melbourne? What’s your prediction? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Undeterred by the Odds, Madison Keys Prepares for the “Tough Ask” of Taking On Iga Swiatek in Madrid appeared first on EssentiallySports.