Madison Keys has made a strong impression in Madrid while pursuing her third WTA title this year.
The fifth-ranked player kicked off the year on a high note by defeating Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the Australian Open title.
Her journey included a tense semi-final where she saved a match point, ultimately winning against Poland’s Iga Swiatek after a challenging three-set battle: 5-7, 6-1, 7-6.
Now, Keys and Swiatek are set to clash in the quarterfinals of this year’s Madrid Open, marking their first encounter since their memorable match in Melbourne earlier this year.
Keys Plans to Review Australian Open Match Against Swiatek
After her victory over Donna Vekic in the fourth round, Keys shared her strategy for the upcoming match against Swiatek. “I plan to review our match in Australia to understand what worked well,” she stated.
She added, “I’ll also consider last year’s performance here, as I didn’t play well against her then, in hopes of crafting a solid game plan. She’s extraordinary on clay and finds great comfort on this surface as she has won numerous titles.”
Swiatek Also Reviewing Past Matches
Swiatek is following suit by planning to watch their previous match prior to their quarterfinal showdown. “I believe these conditions suit both of us, as Madi has an excellent kick serve that works well here,” she observed.
In her press conference, she reflected on her performance this year, noting that most of her losses came at the hands of opponents who went on to win the tournament. “I’ve faced tough draws this year, and I’ll just focus on my next match regardless of the challenges,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek’s Path to the 2025 Madrid Open Title
Despite facing formidable opponents, Swiatek has navigated through tough matches against players like Alexandra Eala, Linda Noskova, and Diana Shnaider to reach the quarterfinals.
With their match scheduled for April 30, it remains to be seen if Swiatek can avenge her Australian Open loss to Keys, making this matchup a must-watch.
