[simonsaystennis]

After a growth spurt/injury that has kept her from playing a lot of tournaments since her big splash last year in Ponte Vedra Beach, 15 year old American Madison Keys won her first ITF tournament at a 10k in Cleveland. She defeated (3)Piia Suomalainen to claim the title.

Here's a look at Madison's road to her victory.

R1: Madison Keys def. Kaitlyn Christian 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3
R2: Madison Keys def. (8)Shivika Burman 6-1 6-0
QF: Madison Keys def. (4)Anastasia Kharchenko 6-1 6-2
SF: Madison Keys def. Gabriela Paz 6-3 6-4
F: Madison Keys def. (3)Piia Suomalainen 6-2 6-4

I will post pictures soon.

[CrossCourt~Rally]

Well done Madison! It seems that after the 1st rd she really rounded herself into form

[simonsaystennis]

Originally Posted by CrossCourt~Rally

Well done Madison! It seems that after the 1st rd she really rounded herself into form

I saw the first set of that match. Madison was up 5-0, had 6 set points (3 at 5-0 and 3 at 5-3) and choked badly. It was her first competitive match in a while, and her first professional match since last year. So there were definitely nerves there. But then she played absolutely beautifully for the rest of the tournament.

[Inger67]

Good Job Madison Hopefully she gets some more QWC for some American hard court tournaments!

[Serenita]

[LegionArgentina]

I dont understand how Gabriela lost to her in SF

[SVK]

This girl beat Kudryvatseva if I´m correct, so Paz was like a "piece of cake" for her after this

[LegionArgentina]

Originally Posted by SVK

This girl beat Kudryvatseva if I´m correct, so Paz was like a "piece of cake" for her after this

No way

[SVK]

Or you were just ironic?
If yes you should put some other smile next time, because it is confusing just with this "confunsing" smile

[Natash.]

That's a good win against Paz. Did you see that match?

Good job Madison!

[darrinbaker00]

Originally Posted by Inger67

Good Job Madison Hopefully she gets some more QWC for some American hard court tournaments!

I think it would be better for her to keep playing these type of events the rest of this year and gain confidence by winning. She's still maturing in every sense of the word, so there's no need to rush her until she's ready.

[KoOlMaNsEaN]

Win a 100k challenger then we'll talk...

[Sammo]

Good on her!

[simonsaystennis]

Originally Posted by darrinbaker00

I think it would be better for her to keep playing these type of events the rest of this year and gain confidence by winning. She's still maturing in every sense of the word, so there's no need to rush her until she's ready.

This. I watched her all week and by no means do I think she's ready to regularly contend at 50k and up level events. On a good day, she can beat anyone. Her groundstrokes are BEAUTIFUL. So fluid and so much power. Her first serve also sets her up great to win points.

What she needs to work on:

1. Second serve. It's kinda weak. Better players will attack it. It's ok for now at the junior an 10k level. But it's just a sitter on big points. She just rolls it in if she's down break point.

2. Falling into "brainless ball basher mode." OCCASIONALLY there would be points (particularly in the Christian match, where the rallies were very long) where Madison would either try and hit a blow you off the court shot at an inopportune time, or if someone hit a really hard shot at her, she would try and belt one back harder. This didn't work out too well. For the most part though she did a great job of using her power and depth to construct points and go for a winner at the right time.

3. Nerves. This will come with time and experience. She got very tight in situations where she had to serve for the match/set or if it was really close.

All that being said, Madison is an incredibly mature player for her age. DEFINITELY one to watch. She has the goods to be at least top 50 one day I think.

[simonsaystennis]

Originally Posted by Natash.

That's a good win against Paz. Did you see that match?

Good job Madison!

Unfortunately I missed that match. I got there right as it ended.