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It’ll be an all-American, big-hitting semi-final at the French Open when Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens face off in their second grand slam match out of the last three. Join The Roar for live scores from around 12:30am (AEST).
The pair met in the final of last year’s season-closing grand slam, the US Open, but on that occasion, it was all Stephens. She ran away with it early on and took the match – and trophy – in straight sets.
Keys has been motivated to fight her way back to the top ever since and now she gets a chance to go to her second grand slam final against the same opponent.
While both players are full of power, Keys should get a profound advantage here. While Stephens seems to have the superior court movement and clay is more suited to longer points, Keys can work with angles and control the baseline, running Stephens around for longer points, with winners unlikely to be hit on the defence from the other side of the court.
Keys is yet to drop a set in Paris, but is yet to play any of the top women on the WTA Tour at Roland Garros, with this match being her toughest by the length of the straight.
But then, Stephens best win came against Darya Kasatkina, while she was also pushed to 8-6 in the first set during the third round by Camila Giorgi.
It’s hard to get a read on either players form and where they truly are at given the way they lead-in to what is traditionally both of their worst grand slams.
Prediction
Stephens might have completely overwhelmed her countrywoman in New York last year, but it’s hard to see her having the same domination on clay. With Keys in-form and generally better on the red stuff, plus wanting revenge, she will win and advance to the final.
Keys in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the second semi-final at the French Open from around 12:30am (AEST) or at the conclusion of Simona Halep versus Garbine Muguruza and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.