It has all come down to the final 4 at the Adelaide International and the American hopes rely on Madison Keys‘ shoulder. Coming into the event after making it through to the quarter-finals of the ASB Classics, Keys will be looking to qualify for her first final of the new season, in her bid to prepare in the best possible way ahead of the upcoming Australian Open. However, her road to the final won’t be easy at all. Standing her way is an in-form Liudmila Samsonova. With the stakes set for the showdown, who among the two will come on top?

Madison Keys vs Liudmila Samsonova: Preview

Madison Keys has delivered an explosive start to her Adelaide campaign, taking down two top-20 players in consecutive matches. Her victory over defending champion Jelena Ostapenko, after overcoming a shaky start to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, highlighted her resilience and ability to reset under pressure. Keys followed up this impressive win with a dominant straight-set victory over Daria Kasatkina, dismantling the Russian 6-1, 6-3. The American is firing on all cylinders, reaffirming why Adelaide has been a successful venue for her in the past. With her current form, Keys looks poised to continue her strong run in the tournament.

On the other hand, her opponent, Liudmila Samsonova has clawed her way back into form with a determined showing in Adelaide. Following a prolonged slump, she secured hard-fought three-set victories over Marie Bouzkova and Belinda Bencic. In the quarterfinals, Samsonova defeated Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4, marking her second semifinal appearance in the tournament. Her ability to maintain focus and capitalize on key moments has been critical to her resurgence, making her a formidable contender as the tournament progresses.

Keys vs Samsonova: Head-to-head

Talking about the head-to-head stats, Madison Keys has been a clear winner. With a strong 4-1 lead over her opponent, she will be determined to extend her lead. Their first match took place in Berlin back in 2021. This was the only time when Liudmila Samsonova won the match 7-6, 2-6, 7-6.

Since then, Madison Keys has had the upper hand as she has won all their clashes. The last meeting between the two came back in Strasbourg in May 2024 which Keys won convincingly by 6-1, 6-3.

Prediction: Madison Keys will look to enter her first WTA final of the new season

Madison Keys has a formidable power game. She also has her big serve and explosive forehand. Her ability to dictate rallies and put opponents under pressure has been key to her recent wins. Momentum is also on her side, as victories over top-class players like Jelena Ostapenko and Daria Kasatkina have boosted her confidence and rhythm. However, inconsistency remains a challenge, as Keys can sometimes struggle with unforced errors, especially against opponents who can absorb pace effectively. On the other hand, her head-to-head advantage over her opponent could also prove crucial to the American star.

Her opponent, Liudmila Samsonova’s game thrives on her powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes, making her a strong contender on hard courts. She’s riding a wave of confidence, following wins over Belinda Bencic and Emma Navarro. However, extended matches could take a physical toll on her, particularly after her grueling battle against Bencic. To succeed, she will need to capitalize on her power game to counter Keys’ aggression.

Prediction: Madison Keys to make the final with a win in straight sets.