AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Women’s Semifinal: [CR1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [CR35] Madison Keys (USA)

The first set was erratic as both players tried to settle the nerves and learn their opponent’s game.  Keys got off to a quick start breaking Serena in the first game.  Yet, Serena understood that falling too far behind against Keys would not win her the match.  Serena quickly figured things out and got back the break in the sixth game.  They were fully engaged after that game as both players had settled the initial jitters. The first set went to a tie break. Would experience prevail or would youthful power and vigor dominate?

Serena won the tie break and broke the will of Keys.  She never recovered from losing the set and Serena showed no mercy.  She kept the pressure on and Keys was unable to maintain the level of play of the first set.  Keys will have to wait until Roland Garros to get to a major final, perhaps.  Serena marches convincingly into the final to meet an opponent she has dominated.  Will she continue her dominance, or will Maria Sharapova end the streak just as Tomas Berdych was able to do in his recent match against Rafael Nadal?

SCORE: Serena Williams def. Madison Keys 7-6(5), 6-2