It will be a battle between two women who arguably have the potential to reach No. 1 in the world when Madison Keys and Caroline Garcia collide at the Australian Open on Monday.
This marks the third career meeting between the two competitors, and it comes with a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals at stake. The head-to-head series is tied up at one win apiece; Garcia prevailed 6-4, 6-3 in a Fed Cup showdown four years ago before Keys got the job done 6-3, 6-4 at the 2016 Wuhan event (both matches played on hard courts.
Fast forward two years and both players are really starting to live up their incredible potential. Back in 2011 when Garcia was playing at the French Open at just 17 years old, Andy Murray watched her play Maria Sharapova and famously posted on Twitter: “The girl sharapova is playing is going to be number one in the world one day caroline garcia, what a player u heard it here first”. The Frenchwoman is not yet No. 1, but she has cracked the top 10 at No. 8. Garcia owns five career titles and she is not quite halfway home to what would be by far the biggest title of her career.
Keys came within one win of capturing a Grand Slam winner’s trophy at last summer’s U.S. Open, but her run ended with a loss to fellow American Sloane Stephens. The 22-year-old comes in at No. 20 in the rankings but has peaked as high as seventh. She did not drop a single set en route to the second week of this Australian Open, so her confidence has to be sky-high.
“I feel like I’m playing well; playing pretty smart,” the 17th seed said after beating Ana Bogdan 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. “I had to against Ana today. I definitely felt like the match was on my racquet, but she was making a lot of balls and made me find my best tennis.”
“She’s doing great so far this tournament,” Garcia said of Keys. “I know it’s going to be very big hitting from both sides. I want to improve against her, I need to enjoy it and try the best I can.”
Keys also knows she is going to be in for a fight.
“At this point you know everyone is playing well,” the American commented. “You just have to keep repeating what you’re doing well, you know that you’re going to have to fight.”
Pick: Keys in 3
[polldaddy poll=9922112]
who ya got?
Keys in three.
Big Al, why Keys in 3?
Keys can win in 3 or even in 2 if she plays the same demolishing (her opponents in 2 sets) tennis that she is playing currently.
Garcia is carrying a back injury which she suffered before/during the Brisbane International, hindering her use of full power and movement. Hence she is struggling to win over lower ranked opponents. She was actually losing in last 2 rds but managed to win with her vast experience.
Struggling and winning in 3 sets in the hot Aussie heat would have taken a lot out of Garcia. This tiredness PLUS back Injury makes betting on one of my FAV player’s The French Goddess Garcia a NO-NO!lol
Let’s go KEYS. You have the Keys (God given power & Talent) to become No.1. Go take care of the The French Goddess Garcia. Put her back on a pedestal (send her back home)!lol
Im a bit nervous about Keys,I’d love to see her won the whole thing,but is she dependable when it comes to it?
I’m going with CarGar in 3. She played great at the end of the year, and I think she’s turned a corner in her career. She had a back injury to start this season, but she seems to be OK now. This should be a great match. Who cares about the NFL games, I’ll be watching this!