Madison Keys of the United States eased past reigning Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic 6-3 6-2 to reach her fifth Grand Slam semifinal and second at the Australian Open.
The world No.51 Keys comfortably won the first set on the back of a break she earned in the sixth game that lasted eight and a half minutes, as Krejcikova struggled with the Melbourne heat and received treatment at 5-2 down.
In the second set, Keys quickly went up a double break, 3-0. The world No.4 Krejcikova got one break back, helped by her opponent’s double fault, but Keys continued to keep her composure better and became the first women’s singles semifinalist at the 2022 Australian Open.
The 26-year-old Keys, a semifinalist here in 2015, entered the tournament as the WTA aces leader on 51 and has added a further 35 in her five matches here, including 15 in first-round upset of 2020 champion Sofia Kenin.
In the entire 2021 season, Keys won just 11 matches, while in 2022 she’s already enjoying a career-best 10-match unbeaten streak.
Now Keys awaits the winner of the second quarterfinal in the top half of the draw: world No.1 Ashleigh Barty or compatriot Jessica Pegula.
Congrats, Maddie Keys, well played. The heat from the Australian sun and from Keys’ serve and forehand affected Barbora. The Florida girl was not affected by the heat.