Madison Keys wrote one of the best stories at the US Open when she made her way into the semi-finals of the tournament. Just inches short of glory, the American player stunned everyone. However, her spectacular run of form was cut short after she was eliminated by Aryna Sabalenka in the semis of the tournament. Despite this, she did not fail to surprise many at the tournament.
Reflecting on the same, the former Australian ATP player Wally Masur, in a recent podcast suggested how close Keys came to landing her hands on her first-ever grand slam title. Playing in front of her home crowd, she got the support of the home crowd which helped her make it through to the semis.
Former Australian player reacts on how close Madison Keys was to winning the title
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Former Australian professional tennis player Wally Masur has offered his insights on Madison Keys’ unforgettable moment in the US Open semifinals. According to Masur, Keys was on the brink of clinching victory, playing brilliantly and dominating the match. However, in the final moments, she experienced a surge of nerves, which later became the turning point in the match.
“I think Madison Keys was five minutes away from winning the USO just playing brilliantly, and just had a little moment, dare I say of nerves, potentially. And so Blinka raised her game at the right time,” said Masur about how Keys performed during a crucial clash at the semis of the US Open.
Thus, the insights given by Masur reflect on the high intensity and the drama that was surrounded during the semi-final of the US Open. Despite winning the first set, she was unable to hold onto the lead which eventually led her to a surprising loss.
In a match where many wanted her to win, it was Sabalenka who made her way into the semi-finals of the US Open. However, as the match got over, Sabalenka came ahead to say that she was surprised by the outcome of the match.
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Aryna Sabalenka was surprised by the outcome of the match
Despite winning the first set comfortably with a scoreline of 6-0, Keys was unable to hold onto it. Eventually, it was Sabalenka who made the most of the moment and grabbed the win in her favor. After winning the match, Sabalenka came ahead and expressed her astonishment where she suggested that she did not expect to win the match after losing the first set.
“She played incredible tennis, it was just another level. Somehow, I don’t know how I turned around this match,” said Sabalenka after winning the match. Thus, in a match where many expected Madison Keys to win, it was Sabalenka who took the match and stunned everyone.
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However, making it through to the semis at the US Open was something that did for the first time in her career. Even though she did not win, she gained a lot of support for her heroics and was even regarded as an upcoming sensation.