Keys digs deep to take Western & Southern Open title

Madison Keys ensured she will be ranked among the world’s top 10 once again by rallying to beat Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Western & Southern Open final.

The American, a finalist at the US Open two years ago, was a break down in each set but fought back to erase the deficits on the two occasions Kuznetsova looked to close out on serve.

A 7-5 7-6 (7-5) victory delivered a fifth WTA title for Keys and her second of 2019 after she beat Caroline Wozniacki at the Charleston Open in April.

“I think if you told me a week ago this is where I’d be, I’d have laughed in your face,” Keys said at the presentation.

That winning moment… #CincyTennis | @Madison_Keys pic.twitter.com/rQhKdQx7ba

— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 18, 2019

She was on the back foot from the start on Sunday, Kuznetsova breaking in the first game, but Keys broke back when 5-4 down as she drilled a backhand winner down the line.

That was part of a four-game sequence that sealed the first set for Keys, who forged ahead with an authoritative forehand.

However, Kuznetsova again broke Keys early on in the second set and had a chance to level the match when 5-4 up and serving.

Yet Keys again stepped up to put it back on serve when Kuznetsova fired long, which she did again on the American’s second championship point in the breaker.