Championship Match: [13] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. [18] Madison Keys (USA)
Both players are riding low on confidence and each was seeking a victory to jump-start their 2019 season. Both have suffered injuries and illness that have not only wreaked havoc on their bodies, but also on their games and their conviction. Wozniacki is battling rheumatoid arthritis and it has taken her some time to adjust physically and mentally to that diagnosis. The Dane had the advantage of winning their only two previous encounters; however, this was over two years ago, and a lot has changed in both of their careers since then.
Keys was here to prove that the form that took her to the US Open final in 2017 was still there despite her scrappy results since then. Keys got the early break in the third game; however, she could not consolidate. Wozniacki worked very hard to hold most of her service games and it is a testament of her determination that she was able to force the first set to a tiebreak. The Dane got the early mini-break, but immediately Keys broke back. The battle was fully engaged until Keys struck a screaming backhand winner down the line to win the first set.
With the first set securely tucked away, the American took her game to another level. She dictated the second set with ferocious forehand shots, which kept Wozniacki pinned in the back of the court and struggling to stay in the rallies; the Dane was over-powered. Keys protected her serve in set two and never gave her opponent an opportunity to break. One break was all the American needed to secure the second set and the 7-6(5), 6-3 victory.
SOURCE OF MAIN IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac- Madison Keys).
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