Keys ready to lead new US wave

By Reuters in Melbourne | China Daily | Updated: 2016-01-23 08:09

Madison Keys proved last year she will be ready when American trailblazer Serena Williams decides to hand over the baton.

In reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, aged 19, the Florida-based big-hitter with one of the hardest forehands in the game had pundits lining up to say "told you so".

A quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon underlined her credentials, but as Canada's Eugenie Bouchard illustrates, raised expectations can bring about a harsh fall.

Keys, though, does not just strike a mean ball, she is also developing the mental fortitude to grind out wins when things are not quite going to plan, as was evident when the 15th seed beat experienced Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday.

"I had to kind of dig deep and figure some things out just to win a couple points here and there in order to win the second set," Keys, who led a strong American presence in the bottom half of the draw, said.

Eyebrows were raised when Keys split with coach Lindsay Davenport last year after breaking into the world's top 20.

Former ATP Tour player Jesse Levine is her new coach, and Keys said his focus so far has been on her mental approach.

"I think the biggest thing is just kind of changing my perspective on a lot of stuff," she said.

"Instead of it being a daunting thing, you know, being down a set, just kind of taking it as a challenge, knowing that I've worked really hard and I'm ready to be in the position.

"Just go out there and be super positive."

Keys, who saved eight match points before succumbing in last year's semifinals to Williams, plays Serbia's former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic on Saturday in an expected slug-fest.

"I think whoever kind of gets the first strike is going to be the one who comes out on top, the 15th seed said.