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By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, January 27, 2015

 
Madison Keys

19-year-old Madison Keys fought off early nerves, a nagging injury and a childhood inspiration to reach her first ever Australian Open semifinal.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Madison Keys battled injury and a Grand Slam champion before pulling out an upset win to reach the Australian Open semifinals.

No. 18 seed Venus Williams faced off against the young American in their quarterfinal. For Keys, it was her first ever trip to the last eight in a major. For Williams, it her first appearance at this stage of a Grand Slam in five years.

Despite looking on the brink of defeat, Keys pulled off the 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over the woman who inspired her to take up the sport as a child.

"I'm very happy that I'm into the semifinals," Keys said right after the win. "But the moment is definitely sweeter being able to play Venus."

Both women started out the first set with a serving contest with Keys and Williams firing down big serves. Yet it was Keys who then got a roll while level at 3-all.

With a mixture of big ball striking and delicate touch up at net, Keys took the set 6-3. The young American already had 14 winners to just four from Williams.

Keys though helped Williams get back into the match with several double faults and errors early in the second set. Williams soon went up a double break as Keys began to feel the effect of a left thigh injury. After taking a medical time out, Keys returned to the court. Keys started a comeback as she broke Williams back and looked on the verge of closing out the match in straights.

But Keys began committing errors again leading to another break for Williams. The 34-year-old American then closed out the set with an ace to force a decider.

The third set proved to be too tough to call. While Keys still struggled at times with her injury, Williams appeared prepared to play more patient tennis rather than go for early winners. Williams used her serve, mixing up pace and direction, with great effectiveness to keep Keys guessing. Williams went up a break for 3-1, but couldn't put enough distance between herself and Keys down the stretch.

Keys, now not so bothered by her injury, rallied to level the set at 3-all. Williams fired off a rare forehand winner to go up 4-3. Keys responded with her own winner to get back to 4-all. If Williams was waiting for Keys to perhaps fade away, it never happened.

Keys went for big shots including a huge backhand winner followed by an ace to hold for 5-4. Williams, now serving to stay in the match, couldn't find enough power to hold off Keys who soon held 0-40. With one final big forehand, Keys could finally celebrate the 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

The key stat for the day: Keys hit 34 winners to just 10 from Williams in the match.

"You just have to embrace the moment. Obviously very nervous coming out. And I get to enjoy another moment next round."

Keys admitted dealing with the injury, similar to one she suffered at Wimbledon last year, was "overwhelming". "But luckily the pain meds and the tape helped so I was able to get through it."

Williams afterwards said, "I think she played really well. Of course, I have to give credit to her just for playing well, landing a lot of great shots I think is ultimately -- ultimately she played really well."

Keys now awaits the winner of the last women's semifinal between Serena Williams and Dominika Cibulkova.

 

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