Keys is Turning Heads at The Open

Written by: Staff on 17th January 2013

Brisbane International tennis tournament

Keys is Turning Heads at The Open

epa03521574 Serena Williams of the US returns to Alize Cornet of France during their second round match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, 01 January 2013. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The United States is desperately looking for a new female tennis star to fill the huge gap that will be left at some time or another by Serena and Venus Williams. Former champions Lindsay Davenport and Pam Shriver believe the search may have found fruition with Madison Keys.

The 17 year-old youngster from Illinois, ranked 105th in the world and playing with a wild-card entry, Keys was in impressive form in reaching the Australian Open’s third round by beating 30th-ranked Tamira Paszek 6-2, 6-1 in just 56 minutes.

“Incredible potential,” said Davenport on Twitter. “Best hope I’ve seen for US since Williams.”

Shriver harmonized. “The easy power,” she said. “You don’t have a serve like that at 17 years old. The big forehand. It’s exciting. I haven’t felt this for 15 years.”

Keys next plays fifth seed Angelique Kerber and most around her agree to expect another win would be too far fetched. But Max Eisenbud, her IMG agent who also manages the careers of Grand Slam champions Maria Sharapova and Li Na, told the New York Times: “Listen, I still see some ups and downs for the next 18 months.

“But I think by the time she’s 20 years old, she’s going to have a really good package.”

Keys is trying to stay grounded and not get too carried away by all the compliments but it is hard for a player so young not to be affected by some famous names being so impressed by her game.

“I mean, it makes me happy,” she said. “I think I’ve been working really hard. I think it’s starting to show.”

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Australian Open, Li Na, Lindsay Davenport, Pam Shriver, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams