Past Cincinnati Open champion Madison Keys reached the semi-finals of the 2022 edition on Friday. The American who won the event in 2019 defeated Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 31 minutes in the quarter-final.
Rybakina won more points off her first serve, 77% to Keys’ 68%. However, Keys did better when it came to winning second-serve points – both on her serve and on return. Keys won 60% of her second-serve points and 69% points on return on her opponent’s second serve. She had 21 winners for the match which were nearly twice as many as Rybakina’s 11. In terms of unforced errors, Rybakina had nine more than Keys’ 16.
Cincinnati Open: Caroline Garcia flies under the radar
Looking to reach the final in the WTA 1000 event for the second time in her career, Keys will play Petra Kvitova. The Czech outplayed Ajla Tomljanovic, 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 13 minutes in their quarter-final meeting. This is the third time Kvitova’s reached the semi-final in the tournament and will be looking to make it to the final here for the first time in her career.
Caroline Garcia upset seventh seed Jessica Pegula in their quarter-final clash. The Frenchwoman claimed a 6-1, 7-5 win after 72 minutes of play. Garcia won 80% of her first-serve points to the American’s 63%. She also saved both break points she faced while converting three of the four break point opportunities that came her way on Pegula’s serve.
For a spot in the final, Garcia will play sixth seed Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka got past Shuai Zhang 6-4, 7-6(1) in an hour and 49 minutes in their last-eight match-up.
Following the exit of Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka’s the only seed remaining in the Cincinnati Open draw. Likewise, Madison Keys’ the last American woman left in the singles draw.