The second of the women’s semi-final will be an all-American affair between Serena Williams and the unseeded breakthrough act at this year’s Australian Open, Madison Keys. In the first of Wednesday’s quarter-finals, Keys fought from a break down in the decider and through a leg injury to beat Venus Williams, 6-3 4-6 6-4.
Considering her movement appeared to be impeded, this was a really fine effort from Madison. Her power has always been impressive, (when she’s finding the court) but a win like this in a new situation against a former Grand Slam champion is really encouraging. There have been a few occasions where Keys has fallen short mentally in three setters, but wins like the ones she has had this week and also in Eastbourne validate the notion that she is one to watch and in my opinion, a future Grand Slam champion. In the second quarter-final of the day, Serena comfortably saw off Dominika Cibulkova, 6-2 6-2. This seemed to be a case of a bad match-up for Domi, who didn’t play a bad match at all. Serena hit 31 winners to 18 unforced errors and was dominant on serve, dropping just four points on her first serve.
It’s a shame that both players have health / fitness issues because if both fit and healthy, this could be brilliant. Serena didn’t sound too healthy after her win over Cibulkova and has been struggling with a cough over the past few days. Madison’s concerns seem to be more pressing with the injury affecting her movement against Venus. For Madison to just have a day’s turnaround is going to be tough and I cannot imagine her leg feeling much better tomorrow. The Australian Open match report cited that this was the same injury that Keys picked up at Wimbledon last year. She was unable to finish her fourth round match against Yaroslava Shvedova on that occasion. To stand a chance of beating Serena, I think Madison would have to be close to 100%.
Prediction: S.Williams d. Keys in 2 sets
Tuesday’s Poll Results: 39% of readers correctly predicted that Keys would beat V.Williams and 62% correctly predicted that S.Williams would beat Cibulkova.
Moo's Tennis Blog 
Keys spent much more time and she should be tired, there are rumors about her leg… well, she will not be a bother to Serena. But c’mon Madison !!!
just like Masha will no more be a bother to Serena.
And still not had been a ble to watch any game because of jet lag… in europe (you know, this stupid fake-country who is currently bankrupting) you’ll have not sleep if you want to watch.
I hope this australian open 2015 gave you nice games to watch.
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Keys may be retired half way through match again..who knows?
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*half way through the match*
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James, your analyses have been bad for the last few days. Hopefully you guess it right for the SFs.
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Serena looked unplayable against Cibulkova and of the 25 semi final matches she’s played, she’s only ever lost 3 of them…
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Venus had the right losing that match. Venus played poor, no energy and no serve.
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Serena will win this. She will then beat Sharapova in the final.
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This is still a fascinating match regardless Serena being unwell and Madison with her leg injury. Serena will need to ploy those same game tactics she did against Cibulkova and not give her anything. Madison will need to hold serve and hit those big ground strokes. I think Serena will have a tough match, I’m pretty sure Serena will come out fighting she has too.I’d love Madison to win I’ve been a big fan of her. Could we see a 19 y.o in the final? Let’s hope her leg takes it!
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Serena and Madison have similar stats in this tournament so far. I think Serena’s cough is pretty bad and Keys injury issues are unknown factors going into this match. I think Keys can trouble Serena here.
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@ Sudo, I have been going through the comments trying to latch on to something that will at least give a clue. Something just tells me that sicknesses cancel out and Keys might spring to life doing the unthinkable. beating both williams to a slam title. I also thik the injury saved Venus from losing 2-0. She just could not relate to the Keys brand of “easy power”
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Well Keys lost, so your thinking and hoping came back and bite you in the butt. Why you wasn’t praying for Pova to lost? You so jealous of the Williams sisters.
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Everybody is entitled to their opinions, so please stop getting so aggressive in your responses as this isn’t the place for them.
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+1 to this…
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