“Stop giving her all these free airs,” Madison Keys reveals the tactics she used to thump fan-favorite Coco Gauff in Madrid

Madison Keys is to play Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.

“Stop giving her all these free airs,” Madison Keys reveals the tactics she used to thump fan-favorite Coco Gauff in Madrid

Madison Keys shakes hands with Coco Gauff (Via Imago)

Madison Keys‘ experience on clay was all she needed against World No.3 Coco Gauff in the Round of 16 at the Madrid Open. Speaking after the victory, the 29-year-old explained how she got the better of her fellow American youngster to win the match despite losing a set.

Keys’ ferocious forehand strike was all that kept Gauff in the baseline. The American is known for a clean strike and she hit hard enough at Gauff. Gauff suffered 13 double faults, including two in the final game that sealed her fate. She won 26 winners against Keys 29, which ultimately led to her loss 6(4)-7, 6-4, 4-6.

For Keys, it was her first quarterfinal reach in ten attempts at the Madrid Open. She also now leads 3:2 in the head-to-head against Gauff. Besides that, it was the World’s No. 20’s biggest win since returning from a shoulder injury in March. With just three tournaments before Madrid, the American star seems to be getting into form.

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Speaking about the victory, Madison Keys revealed that she was proud to be able to sneak the third set win.

Obviously, it's always hard for Coco, especially on clay, so I think I had to play pretty well. I think I was down every single set. I was really proud of how I was able to fight back and stay in all the sets and keep things competitive and be able to sneak away with that third set.
Madison Keys said via Tennis TV

Keys would go on to play Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals, as the winner will face Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the Madrid Open. The American will be hoping to get the best with her clean strike against Jabeur.

Madison Keys explains how she snatched the third-set win against Coco Gauff

Despite being down 4-2 against Coco Gauff in the third set, Madison Keys rallied from behind to win the match, taking the remaining four game points in the Round of 16 tie at the Madrid Open. The American star went on to win the match 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 for a place in the quarterfinals.

During her post-match interview, she explained how she fought hard despite being down in the third set to win the match.

Madison Keys via Imago
I was missing a lot of the first balls and at that point it was like, if she beats me, no problem. But like, I'm going to stop giving her all of these free airs and all of that. So, then the focus really just became like, I'm going to make every single return. I'm going to make every single ball after my serve. And things kind of started spinning my way and then I kind of just ran with the momentum.
Madison Keys said

Keys has only one Masters 1000 title to her name, which she won in 2019 at Cincinnati. She will hope to win her second in an unlikely Madrid Open.

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