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Madison Keys is posing as a genuine threat at the Australian Open after defeating eighth seed Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.
- Madison Keys has only dropped one set in reaching the quarterfinals
- Keys will next play Barbora Krejčíková, who beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-2
- Jessica Pegula defeated Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7-0), 6-3
Unseeded Keys — who has been ranked as high as number seven in the world — outclassed the Spaniard on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and nine minutes.
The American has only dropped one set on her way to the last eight, where she will meet fourth seed Barbora Krejčíková.
The French Open champion defeated two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-2.
In another fourth-round clash, Keys's countrywoman and 21st seed Jessica Pegula made the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year when she eliminated Greek fifth seed Maria Sakkari, 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.
Pegula will next play either Australia's world number one Ash Barty or another American Amanda Anisimova.
Keys last appeared in the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2018.
In hot and sunny conditions on centre court, Keys got on top of Badosa early in the fourth-round match, breaking her opponent in the second game of the opening set.
It set the tone for the remainder of the encounter, with Badosa dropping serve another four times. She did not help her cause with 10 double faults.
Keys was broken only once and tallied three aces in what was largely a solid serving performance.
"I think I served really well and returned really well," Keys said in her on-court interview.
"I think I had the advantage in a lot of the points and I thought I was able to dictate.
Despite being ranked 51, it is little surprise that Keys has advanced to the second week of the Open, given her immense talent.
She was a finalist at the 2017 US Open, while she arrived in Melbourne encouraged by her victory at the WTA Tour lead-up event in Adelaide, her successful campaign including wins over Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff.
Keys beat 11th seed and 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin, in straight sets in her opening match, before getting past Jaqueline Cristian and Wang Qiang to progress to the fourth round.