Keys beats Rybakina, first into Western & Southern Open semi-finals

Madison Keys advanced to the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Open by defeating Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 at the Linder Tennis Family Center in Cincinnati on Friday night. Keys, who upset world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the round of 16, prevailed over Rybakina in one hour and 31 minutes.

The very first game of the match was a turning point, as it lasted eight deuces with Rybakina serving. Keys generated four break points before finally converting.

“I think that first break was really important,” the American said. (I was) just trying to get out in front right away. It was super important and helped me a lot.

T”hen in that second set, breaking back immediately I think really just kind of helped keep my momentum and not let her get too far ahead of me. I feel like when she’s playing on her front foot and dictating, things can go very quickly, so I was doing whatever I could just to get her off of the baseline and as uncomfortable as possible.”

The 24th-ranked American awaits either Petra Kvitova or qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic.

Cincinnati WTA 1000, other quarter-final matches

• Jessica Pegula vs. Caroline Garcia
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Shuai Zhang
• Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Petra Kvitova

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