America’s Madison Keys returned to a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time in nearly four years with a resounding win over Barbora Krejčíková.
The current French Open champion went down in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 25 minutes.
For Keys, it’s her first Grand Slam semi-finals since New York back at the US Open in September 2018, and prior to that, the French Open semis the same year.
It’s been a long road with injuries for Keys, but having won in Adelaide at the start of the year, the American is on a 10-match win streak, and looking dangerous again.
She will next play Australian world number one Ash Barty, who powered past American Jessica Pegula in a quickfire straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.
Keys came out firing in her opening service game, winning four straight points and thumping a forehand winner to seal the game.
In Krejčíková’s opening service game, at 30-15 down, Keys produced a stunning backhand drive down the line to send early warning signs to her opponent.
In the battle of the 26-year-old’s, the Czech was moving Keys well around the court, and held serve.
Both players continued to hold and at 2-2, Keys was pushed all the way, saving three break points in a mammoth game of six deuces.
Mentally this affected the world number four who eventually crumbled, as Keys got the break, converting on her fifth break point.
The unseeded American stormed into a 5-2 lead, but Krejčíková called on the trainer, struggling with heatstroke in the sheer 33-degrees Melbourne heat.
Keys whipped up two sets points, only needing one, as she slammed down an ace to take the first set 6-3.
The world number 51 continued to defy the script, breaking the fourth seed at the beginning of the second set.
She consolidated it with a hold of serve, before wrapping up the double break for a 3-0 lead.
But the match was far from over, as Krejčíková broke back, against the run of play, and soon only trailed 3-2.
Keys wasn’t shaken by this. The 2017 US Open finalist produced a strong service game and a tidy forehand gave her a 4-2 cushion.
The American continued to play some inspired tennis, and nabbed another break with a wonderful forehand return winner, to put her on the cusp of victory.
And Keys opened up two match point opportunities, only needing one, as she powered into the semi-finals once again.
After the match, she opened up to the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
“I think I’m going to cry. It means a lot,” she said.
“I’m really proud of myself and so thankful to my team, my friends and my family for helping me through what was a really tough year.”
The American continued. “I did everything I could with my team to reset this off-season.
“Focus on starting fresh, just starting from zero, and not worrying about last year. That’s gone well so far.”
