Roland-Garros: Kudermetova sets up all-Russian quarter-final clash against Kasatkina

Veronika Kudermetova beats Madison Keys 1-6, 6-3, 6- to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final

Veronika Kudermetova at Roland Garros 2022 Image Credit: Aurelien Morissard / Panoramic

May 30, 2022

Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, the No 29 seed, defeated former US Open finalist Madison Keys, the No 22 seed, in three sets to reach the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros in Paris on Monday.

Keys, who also reached the semi-finals here in Paris in 2018, started the fourth-round match on Court Philippe Chatrier on a strong note, winning the first set 6-1.

But Kudermetova, who was playing in the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, took an early break in the second set and never looked back. She won the second set 6-3, and blitzed past her opponent in the third to complete the 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 win in one hour and 42 minutes.

Roland-Garros quarter-final continues breakout season for Kudermetova

Reahcing her first Grand Slam quarter-final is anther step in the right directionf or the 25-year-old Kudermetova, who is playing some of her best tennis.

The Russian started the year by reaching the final in Melbourne, reached her second final in Dubai and her third in Istanbul. While she is still searching for her first singles title in 2022, she has picked up two doubles titles already this year and risen to a career-high No 4 in the world.

Kudermetova will next meet 20th seeded Daria Kasatkina in an all-Russian quarter-final. Kasatkina had defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-2 in another fourth round match on Monday.

Kudermetova and Kasatkina have met once before on the tour, with Kasatkina winning their quarter-final in St. Petersburg last year in three sets.