Madison Keys made it an all-American affair in the 2017 US Open semifinals with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-3 win over Kaia Kanepi on Wednesday. The 15th seed prevailed in just 69 minutes to join Coco Vandeweghe, Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens in the final four. It is the first time since 1981 that four American women have made the semis in Flushing Meadows, and the first time anywhere since the 1985 Wimbledon Championships.
Keys, who recorded her first career victory against Kanepi, blasted 23 winners and won 79 percent of her first serve points on Wednesday. What proved to be the difference in the contest, though, was her impeccable return. Keys won 44 percent of her receiving points against Kanepi with the 22-year-old converting three of her eight break point chances.
Next up for Keys is a semis clash with Vandeweghe. Thursday’s showdown will be their first meeting in a Grand Slam setting. The Illinois native has fared extremely well in her career against Vandeweghe, winning each of their previous two meetings. Keys defeated Vandeweghe in consecutive weeks at Stanford and Cincinnati last month.
Coco Vandeweghe stormed into the semifinals of the 2017 US Open with a stunning 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory over top seed Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday. It was an impressive showing by Vandeweghe, who needed one hour and 34 minutes to eliminate the world no. 1. It has been a dream run for the 25-year-old American who is in the semis in New York for only the first time in 11 tournament appearances.
Providing the impetus for Vandeweghe’s victory was her excellent serve. She won 81 percent of her first serve points against Pliskova. That has been Vandeweghe’s main weapon in this tournament with the California native winning 76 percent of her first serve points through her first five matches. That’s fourth-best in the women’s draw. That will be crucial in the match against Keys who has won 19 break points in this year’s US Open.
Writer’s Prediction
Vandeweghe (+130) reaches her first Grand Slam final with a three-set win over Keys.
