Madrid Open 2024: Ons Jabeur vs Madison Keys; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction

The quarterfinal of the Madrid Open has commenced as Ons Jabeur is set to face Madison Keys. Both players struggled when the year began but they have turned around what many imagined to be an early exit in Madrid. Before Madrid, Jabeur had not managed to attain more than 1 victory in any tournament. Keys came back to the Tour after suffering a shoulder last year in the Indian Wells Masters.

She needed time to get used to the level of tennis on the WTA Tour as she faced early exits in previous tournaments. Keys would show her real skills in the Spanish capital, as she managed to beat the US Open champion.

Ons Jabeur vs Madison Keys: Preview

Keys played against Coco Gauff in the round of 16 in three sets, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. She hit 1 ace and 2 double faults but only won 58% of points on first serve. She took 7 break points from Gauff but also gave 7 away. While she won the match, Gauff won more points than Keys and even took more receiving points than her. In her previous matches, Keys had managed to hit 10 aces and won 67% points on first serve on average.

Jabeur faced Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 and won the clash 6-0, 6-4. She only landed 52% of first serves but won 77% of first serve points, with 52% of second serve points. Jabeur hit 2 aces and took 5 break points while only giving 1 out of 2 away. The Tunisian suffered earlier this year with getting good control of her game, but she has shown good control under pressure in Madrid. 

Jabeur vs Keys: Head-to-Head

Keys and Jabeur have played against each other twice on the ATP Tour. Jabeur has won both times met on Tour. Their first match took place in the 2020 Cincinnati Masters, which ended 6-4, 6-1 for Jabeur. They then met two years later in the San Jose round of 16, where Jabeur won 7-5, 6-1. The two will play against each other on clay for the first time.

Prediction: Jabeur to be the victor

Both players have fought hard in the last week. Fans did not expect to see them in the quarterfinal, but they broke past what held them back. However, the time has come for one player to leave, and that will likely be Keys. Both Keys and Jabeur are not able to give convincing serves, which will help Jabeur provide strong returns. 

Both enjoy a fast surface, which takes away any advantage from clay. Keys showed good form at the start of the match and even recovered when she fell short. If she keeps control of the game throughout the clash, she can turn the results in her favor. Any of the two players will not dominate the clash and has a good chance of going to three sets, with Jabeur taking the win and moving on to the semifinal.