CNN
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Madison Keys comfortably beat Jessica Pegula in straight units on Monday to earn a spot within the No US Open quarter finals
Keys gained 6-1 6-3 in opposition to world No. 3 Pegula to succeed in her second straight grand slam quarter-finals: Reached the identical stage at Wimbledon earlier within the yr.
Pegula had entered the event as one of many favorites after a powerful build-up to the event, however was by no means in a position to construct a head of steam in opposition to her compatriot.
World No. 17 Keys will face reigning Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová within the subsequent spherical.
Throughout her on-court interview after her victory, Keys mentioned that enjoying on the US Open at all times motivates her to do her greatest.
“Completely, I had a number of wonderful moments in New York,” Keys mentioned. “To give you the chance, at any time, to return again from troublesome positions in video games, in entrance of this crowd, was unbelievable.”
Pegula, who was born in Buffalo, New York, and whose dad and mom personal the NFL franchise, the Buffalo Payments, was the house crowd favourite in opposition to the Florida-based Keys.
Nevertheless, whereas a lot of the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered her on, Pegula by no means regarded decided in opposition to Keys.
It led to a wild opening set for the 28-year-old Keys, who dropped only one recreation as she cruised to a set result in put her stamp on their fourth-round conflict.
Pegula confirmed indicators of preventing again within the second set, nevertheless it was to no avail and Keys was in a position to break serve once more to take management of the match.
Fixed unforced errors continued to extinguish any hopes Pegula had of mounting a comeback, with Keys in a position to shut out the spectacular victory in simply 61 minutes.
For Keys, a 2017 US Open finalist, it’s the first time she has made back-to-back majors for the reason that Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2018.
Additionally it is her first win over a high 5 at a Grand Slam since beating Barbora Krejčíková within the quarterfinals of the 2022 Australian Open.