Keys unlocks path to quarter-finals

American Madison Keys reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-1 win over eighth seed Paulo Badosa.

The 26-year-old American extended her winning streak to 10 matches as she jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held serve for the rest of the set to take it in 32 minutes.

Keys then broke Badosa’s Badosa’s serve four times in the second to take the match in a little over an hour.

“I knew I was gonna have to take my chances and go for it because if I gave her an inch she was gonna take it,” Keys said.

Keys hit 26 winners to Badosa’s 10.

“I think I served pretty well and I think I returned really well,” Keys added post match.

Madison Keys in fourth round action on Sunday. Photo: KARL WINTER

“So I think I kind of just off the first ball I had a little bit of the advantage on a lot of the points and then was able to dictate.”

Badosa, who had her right shoulder taped throughout the match, said her opponent’s screw and forehand were dangerous.

“When she has confidence, she’s very dangerous. She’s playing a lot of matches, feeling the ball very well,” Badosa said.

As I said before playing her, she has a very good serve and very good forehand. I got to see it today.”

Keys will play the winner of the match between Victoria Azarenka and Barbora Krejcikova in the quarter-finals.

Peter Rowe

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