Keys counts on Adelaide success as AO precursor

Madison Keys is convinced that doing well in South Australia is the perfect preparation for another Australian Open title, with the Melbourne holder prepared to test that theory at this week’s Adelaide International..

The two-time Adelaide champion has reached the Grand Slam semi-finals (2022) and won the title a year ago at the major over Aryna Sabalenka.

The 30-year-old is back at the event where she has never lost a match as second seed behind US compatriot Jessica Pegula, with teenaged Mirra Andreeva taking the third position in the field.

“I’ve never lost here so far,” Keys said on Sunday. “So I would like to keep that streak alive. 

“That would be, I think, a pretty cool record of mine to have. So that’s
definitely the goal.”

Keys said that doing well in Adelaide could well be the secret of a repeat title performance in Melbourne.

“You want matches at the beginning of the season. You really want to test yourself.

“Getting as many good matches as possible helps you figure out what’s working, what’s not working, where to make some tweaks here or there.

“It also gives you a lot of confidence and momentum.”