There are times that Madison Keys can be so out of it. But, this week in Cincinnati, the powerful American was on top of the game. Her first serve was gigantic, her strokes were deep and true, and her returns were tricky. She won it, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5) in the final.
Kuznetsova had a terrific week. The Russian has won two Grand Slams, but she was injured for months, and when she came back, she wasn’t secure, losing early. But finally, she started to run and be very consistent. She has been on the WTA for very long times. Some weeks, she is down; other weeks, she is joyful. Kuznetsova could win another major in the next few years. She is already thinking, “Can I be patient and grab the US Open?” The last time she won it was in 2004, 15 years ago. A super long time. But, you never know.
That might be the same thing with Keys. She has gone deep at the Slams, reaching the 2017 final at the US Open, falling versus Sloane Stephens. She was pretty nervous, but she has matured a little. Now, she has to center herself at the US Open, and bolt.
The Men
Who would have thought that Daniil Medvedev would actually win an ATP 1000? After all, over the past month, the Russian was rising fast, exploiting an odd but tricky game. He has finally accepted his game’s limitation and potential. When he first started, the now 23-year-old was suffering at times. Currently, he is blissful.
Medvedev took down David Goffin 7-6(3). 6-4 in the final. Goffin has improved over the past few months, and he loves to grind. However, Medvedev was more potent in the final. He knew that if was close, so he wanted to dive on him. And Medvedev did. That was the biggest title ever.
When the US Open arrives, the top three will be favored: No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who won the 2018 title at Flushing Meadows; No. 2 Rafa Nadal, who just won Canada and No. 3 Roger Federer, who is itching to play after losing Wimbledon despite have two match points.
Now, Medvedev upset Djokovic in the semis at Cincinnati, but that was two-out-of-three sets, not three-out-of-five. That is the biggest difference by far. You have to hang in there for a long time to win a men’s Slam. You can get tired, for many hours, but you have to keep trucking.
Djokovic has won 16 Grand Slams titles, and Medvedev has won … zero. Let’s see during the next two weeks if the Russian can ascent.