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August 22nd, 2019

Orlando’s Keys Wins WTA Cincinnati, Builds US Open Momentum

General News Pro Tennis

Orlando resident Madison Keys returned to the winner’s circle last Sunday when the No. 16 seed in Cincinnati beat two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 7-6(5) for the title at the Western & Southern Open in Ohio.

The former US Open finalist rebounded after trailing in both sets to win the biggest title of her career. It was Keys’ second title of 2019 after capturing the Volvo Car Open in Charleston in April.

“I think I just really focused in on obviously really important games and was able to make her play a lot of balls. Luckily, I figured out a way to level-up the scoreline,” Keys said after the match. “I think I served really well today, especially in certain pockets. I think when I was doing a good job at moving forward and kind of trying to neutralize some of her deep, heavy, spinny shots, I was able to get out in front in the point and play a little bit more offense.”

The 2017 US Open finalist served 13 aces — just one less than the 14 she recorded in her semifinal victory against fellow American Sofia Kenin — and improved her career head-to-head against the former world No. 2 Kuznetsova to 4-0.

The 24-year-old captured the fifth title overall in her career.

“I think I was just really calm,” she said. “I just let myself go out there and play, you know, however I could play that day. I kind of dropped the expectations on myself a little bit…I want to do well in New York, and I want to have a good end of the season, so taking a lot of positives from this week. Just trying to reel it in a little bit.”

For more info go to www.wta.com.

Posted by USTA Florida

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