Madison Keys to play Barbora Krejčíková in Australian Open quarterfinals

Madison Keys is posing as a genuine threat at the Australian Open after defeating eighth seed Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.

Unseeded Keys — who has been ranked as high as number seven in the world — outclassed the Spaniard on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and nine minutes.

The American has only dropped one set on her way to the last eight, where she will meet fourth seed Barbora Krejčíková.

The French Open champion defeated two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-2.

Keys last appeared in the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2018.

In hot and sunny conditions on centre court, Keys got on top of Badosa early in the fourth-round match, breaking her opponent in the second game of the opening set.

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It set the tone for the remainder of the encounter, with Badosa dropping serve another four times. She did not help her cause with 10 double faults.

Keys was broken only once and tallied three aces in what was largely a solid serving performance.

«I think I served really well and returned really well,» Keys said in her on-court interview.

«I think I had the advantage in a lot of the points and I thought I was able to dictate.

»I knew I would have to take my chances and go for it because, if I gave her a chance, she would take it."

Despite being ranked 51, it is little surprise that Keys has advanced to the second week of the Open, given her immense talent.

She was a finalist at the 2017 US Open, while she arrived in Melbourne encouraged by her victory at the WTA Tour lead-up event in Adelaide, her successful campaign including wins over Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff.

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