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4 match factors slipped from Madison Keys’ grip as ghosts of self-doubt had been shadowing her in broad daylight once more.
Keys might really feel her coronary heart racing and the partitions closing in.
In a single ultimate burst, Keys quieted stress and shocked Iga Swiatek.
World No. 24 Keys surged by means of 9 straight video games then survived a late rally out-slugging Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 for her first win over a reigning world No. 1.
The 2019 Cincinnati champion Keys will play Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina for a semifinal spot. Rybakina stopped American Alison Riske 6-2, 6-4.
Madison’s MOMENT ⭐️
2019 champion 🇺🇸 @Madison_Keys information her first-ever victory over a World No.1, taking out Swiatek, 6-3, 6-4 on residence soil!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/GjrBHcXJe5
— wta (@WTA) August 18, 2022
“I really feel like I performed so strong within the first set after which I feel her degree dropped just a little within the second set then at 5-0 I feel her degree dramatically modified and obtained so much higher and I obtained just a little bit nervous making an attempt to shut it out,” Keys informed Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj afterward. “I’m simply so blissful to get a win and do it and get into the quarters.”
It’s a monumental second for Keys and one in every of a few huge upsets that blew open the draw. Zhang Shuai toppled second-seeded Anett Kontaveit 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Since Swiatek rocketed by means of a 37-match profitable streak accumulating six consecutive titles and taking part in transcendent tennis, she’s come again to earth a bit. Alize Cornet knocked the highest seed out of the Wimbledon third spherical and with right now’s loss Swiatek drops to 4-4 in her final eight matches.
One other concern is the very fact Swiatek concedes she’s simply not feeling any connection to the Wilson US Open ball, used final week in Toronto and this week in Cincinnati. The truth is, Swiatek trashed the ball as “horrible” after beating Sloane Stephens.
“I feel these balls are horrible, particularly after like three video games of laborious taking part in,” Swiatek stated…. “Yeah, I feel they’re fairly unhealthy. Sorry.”
The 2019 Cincinnati champion Keys used the lighter ball and quick court docket circumstances to her power charging into the quarterfinals for third time.
“That is the primary time I performed her on a quick court docket, which I feel positively fits me just a little bit higher,” Keys stated. “Prior to now, I performed her at Indian Wells at evening and on clay. I positively suppose I used to be ready to make use of the sooner court docket and tha balls to my benefit.”
This was a wild rollercoaster trip of a match. Winless in 5 prior conferences towards world No. 1 gamers, Keys was down 2-3 when she erupted with a sequence of decisive drives.
Commanding the middle of the court docket, Keys reeled off 9 consecutive video games constructing a 6-3, 5-0 lead.
The Twenty fourth-ranked American sailed a backhand as Swiatek was again on serve at 4-5.
Resetting, Keys rapped a working backhand strike down the road then drew an errant forehand for 3 extra match factors.
Keys netted a forehand return on the fourth match level. On match level quantity 5, Keys raced as much as a net-cord shot and slashed a ultimate forehand down the road wrapping up her first profession win over a reigning world No. 1.
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