The clash for a semifinal berth in Rome saw big hitting Madison Keys go up against crafty Barbora Strycova. They were tied 1-1 in the head-to-head with Keys claiming the victory on clay just recently in Madrid.
It was a bright start to the match by Strycova before Keys found her groove to snatch the first set. The Czech kept herself in the match before firing her way to force the decider. A crucial break towards the end of a tight deciding set gave Keys a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory. She will face Garbiñe Muguruza in the semifinals who overcame Timea Bacsinszky in a tantalizing clash.
Keys starts slow but finishes off the set strongly
It was a terrific start for the Czech who went up a double break to 3-0 after a slow start from Keys. That bright start faltered though as Strycova got into trouble with her serves and Keys punished her for it breaking to love to get one of the break backs. The American was in full swing by now winning eight points in a row to reduce the gap to 2-3.
Keys was starting to dictate rallies and had an opportunity to level the match at 30-40 on Strycova’s serve in the sixth game. The Czech just managed to save it as Keys netted her shot. The American kept on knocking on the doors using her powerful forehand to great effect and eventually broke down the resilient Strycova at the fifth attempt in an epic game.
Keys continued her run of games to take over the lead for the first time at 4-3. The next couple of games were over in a flash with both players holding with ease to keep the match on serve. It was Strycova who was then called upon to serve to stay in the set. With pressure mounting, the Czech handed Keys double set point after sending her shot long. The American followed it up with some great shots in a baseline rally to seal the first set.
Strycova absorbs the pressure before finding the edge to force a decider
The American was in the zone, hammering winners and playing some great tennis to carve out an early break point in the second game. However, Strycova hung on with some great defense to prevent Keys from gaining an upper hand. Keys was getting herself into all sorts of advantageous position during the Czech’s games but fell short at the execution as Strycova held for 2-2.
Keys got into a small spot of trouble in the seventh game when she was 0-30 as the Czech was starting to get into her groove. However, some terrific winners from the American saw her dig out an important hold for 4-3. Strycova continued her solid service game and went on to reel off eight straight points to break first and put herself in a position to take the second set. With Keys seemingly faltering, the Czech won the last 13 of 14 points to close out the set in emphatic fashion.
One break was all Keys needed to clinch victory
It was as tight as it can be in an absorbing deciding set. Both women remained steadfast on their serves as the set went on. Strycova who was serving second was having to keep up and the pressure eventually caught up with the Czech as Keys found an opening in the eighth game. The American got the crucial break after a string of errors from Strycova to lead 5-3 in the decider. And with the match on her racket, Keys made no mistake to seal the victory for her first semifinal of the year.