Madison Keys eliminates the reigning Wimbledon champion and advances to the semifinals of the US Open with an impressive performance.

American tennis sensation Madison Keys delivered a stellar performance at the 2023 US Open, storming into the semifinals by defeating reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-4. In a high-stakes match, Keys displayed her remarkable resilience by fending off all nine break points she faced.

Keys, who had previously reached the US Open final in 2017, found herself facing early exits in recent years at Flushing Meadows. However, in this year’s tournament, she demonstrated her exceptional prowess and appeared utterly comfortable under the dazzling lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Reflecting on her success, Keys shared with reporters, “I think I just find another gear when it comes to Slams. Part of it is that I put a little bit more pressure on myself, which is a good thing and also a bad thing sometimes. But I’ve just peaked at the right time, I guess. I haven’t had too many disappointing exits at Slams.”

Vondrousova, seeded ninth, had withdrawn from her doubles campaign due to a sore arm following a grueling three-set match against American Peyton Stearns in the fourth round. This depletion of energy left her with limited firepower for the crucial quarterfinal encounter.

Keys expressed her deep affinity for the US Open, stating, “I just love it here. I love playing here. In front of a home crowd, you can never feel like you can’t get out of any situation.” Her victory in this quarterfinal match marks her sixth major semifinal appearance and her third at the US Open (previously in 2017 and 2018).

In the upcoming semifinal clash, Keys will face off against the second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, who also dominated her opponent, China’s Zheng Qinwen, in a one-sided match earlier on the same day. Keys, reflecting on the impending showdown, anticipates an intense battle characterized by hard-hitting exchanges and short points. She acknowledges that the key to success will be her ability to retrieve as many balls as possible.

Balancing the pressure of high-stakes matches is a delicate art, according to Keys. She acknowledges that there are moments when she handles it well and others when she struggles. Nevertheless, she emphasizes the significance of these grand stages, noting that they are the very moments athletes dream of and strive for throughout their careers.

The other women’s semifinal at the US Open will feature a clash between Coco Gauff, seeded sixth, and Karolina Muchova, seeded tenth. Both players secured their spots in the semifinals with impressive victories in the quarterfinals.

The last time two American women simultaneously reached the semifinals at the US Open was in 2020 when Serena Williams and Jennifer Brady accomplished the feat. Keys’ remarkable journey adds another exciting chapter to American tennis history.

In a brief interruption during the Keys vs. Vondrousova match, play was halted for eight minutes due to a spectator in the lower level requiring medical attention. Keys displayed her sportsmanship by providing towels and water to the fan in distress. The incident, according to the U.S. Tennis Association, was unrelated to heat-related issues.

Keys demonstrated her mental fortitude by maintaining her focus after the interruption and swiftly seizing control of the match. She broke Vondrousova’s serve to love in the second game and capitalized on another break point opportunity with a brilliant forehand winner in the fourth.

While Vondrousova elevated her performance in the second set, including improving her serve, she struggled to gain momentum and missed critical opportunities, failing to convert on five break points in the eighth game alone. Keys eventually secured a crucial break in the ninth game, sealing her victory with a resounding backhand error from Vondrousova on match point.