2015 continues to get better for America’s fast-rising tennis star Madison Keys as she booked her place in the third round of the French Open. Keys’ signature serve has been spot on thus far, leaving her opponents in the clay court dust. But the promising 20-year old American’s French adventure is in significant peril with her third round opponent, Timea Bacsinszky.
Bacsinszky has been one of the most successful players in the entire tour this season, and will be keen to unlock her first ever trip to the fourth round in any Grand Slam at Keys’ expense. Read on for our preview of this fabulous French Open matchup.
Meanwhile, fellow American and World No. 1 Serena Williams will also have her hands full with her third round assignment, Victoria Azarenka. Check out our preview of that match here.
Madison Keys will be making her first ever trip to the third round at Roland Garros after a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win in her second round matchup with Swiss Belinda Bencic. Keys, who announced herself on the big stage by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open last January, is slowly making a name for herself on clay. With the win, she improved to 10-3 on the surface this season.
[sc:Other240banner ]Keys has one of the best serves in the entire women’s game. Heading into the French Open, she ranked third in aces (145), eighth in service games won (75.2), and ninth in first serve points won (69.5). That excellent serve was spot on against Bencic. The American put 65 percent of her first serves in play and won 81 percent of those points. She also delivered seven aces, giving her 15 for the tournament.
Keys’ serve must be sharp against the dangerous Bacsinszky, who can do some damage with her return game. The 20-year old must also be wary of surrendering too many easy points away. She has committed 10 more unforced errors than her opponents in the tournament thus far.
Betting on Timea Bacsinszky
Timea Bacsinszky isn’t exactly a household name, but that could all change soon if her terrific 2015 is any indication. Bacsinszky entered the French Open with the most WTA match wins in 2015 with 27 against just six losses. Majority of those wins were on hard court (23) as she won titles at Acapulco and Monterrey earlier in the year.
But she’s had no problem translating that form to the dirt courts of the French Open. She mowed down her first two opponents, Lara Arruabarrena (6-3, 6-4) and Tereza Smitkova (6-2, 6-0), with relative ease. Bacsinszky’s serve was very solid in the two matches. She put 78 percent of her first serves in play against Arruabarrena and converted 80 percent of first serve points against Smitkova.
But it has been her return game that has truly shone. She won 54 and 63 percent of receiving points in the first two rounds, respectively, and went 5-of-6 in break points won in both matches. That excellent return will come in quite handy against the inexperienced Keys, who could get flustered by a break of her patented serve.
Endurance will also be in Bacsinszky’s favor. 12 of the 23 matches she’d played prior to Roland Garros went three sets, and she won 10 of them. She’s also a very impressive 6-2 in tie break set wins.
Writer’s Prediction
Bacsinszky breaks Keys’ serve and rolls to a straight-sets victory. Create a betting account now and find all the best French Open action right here in America’s top online sportsbook.
