🎾 WTA Madrid: Madison Keys vs Donna Vekic – Match Preview
🧠 Form & Context
🇺🇸 Madison Keys
- Madrid Redemption: Reached back-to-back wins at Caja Mágica for only the third time, rallying past Anna Kalinskaya 7-5, 7-6.
- Late-Blooming Success: Historically struggled here but reached the semifinals in 2024.
- Grand Slam Breakthrough: Captured her maiden Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open with a series of clutch three-set wins.
- Momentum Builder: Looking to extend the strongest stretch of her career with another deep Madrid run.
🇭🇷 Donna Vekic
- Seasonal Struggles: Entered Madrid with a 5–10 record in 2025 and early exits in Miami and Stuttgart.
- Madrid Turnaround: Beat Baptiste and stunned world No. 10 Navarro to reach the fourth round.
- Clay History: A win here would mark only her fourth career quarterfinal on clay.
- Renewed Belief: Showing renewed focus and aggression after a rough spring stretch.
🔍 Match Breakdown
Keys’ aggressive baseline game and comfort on Madrid’s quicker clay courts make her a serious threat now. She has showcased improved mental toughness, particularly in surviving Kalinskaya’s challenge in straight sets.
Vekic’s clean hitting gives her a chance to trouble opponents, but sustaining peak performance against heavy-hitters like Keys has been a historic challenge. If Keys maintains a high first-serve percentage and limits unforced errors, she should control the match tempo.
Their recent meeting at Indian Wells, where Keys mounted a comeback win, gives the American a psychological advantage. Madrid’s altitude conditions should further favor Keys’ power-based game plan.
🔮 Prediction
✔️ Prediction: Madison Keys in straight sets
Expect Donna Vekic to compete strongly but for Keys' power, confidence, and Madrid success to ultimately seal the deal—potentially needing one tight tiebreak.
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