Credit: Twitter
Madison Keys staged a remarkable comeback to defeat 16-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva in three sets and reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the second time in her career. The American overcame a set and a game point to beat the Russian sensation 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in a thrilling match on Court Two on Monday.
Andreeva, who had never played a grass-court tournament before Wimbledon, had stunned the tennis world by winning six matches in a row, including victories over Barbora Krejčíková and Anastasia Potapova. The 16-year-old looked set to continue her fairy-tale run when she took the first set and led 4-1 in the second, playing with confidence and flair.
During the second set, Keys pulled off a sensational comeback as she forced a deuce when the score was 2-4 in Andreeva's favour. The 28-year-old American switched hands mid-game to score a point against her teenage opponent in the Round of 16.
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Despite going down 1-4 in the second set, Keys refused to give up and fought back to level the set at 5-5, saving two break points in the process. The World No.25 then forced a tie-break, where she showed her experience and power to win it 7-6. The momentum had shifted in Keys' favor and she quickly broke Andreeva's serve in the third set to take a 3-1 lead. Andreeva, who had been composed and calm throughout the tournament, started to show signs of frustration and emotion, wiping tears from her eyes at one stage.
Andreeva was also given a point penalty for throwing her racket and refusing to shake the umpire’s hand when Keys forced a deuce at 2-4 in the second set. The teen could not find a way to stop Keys' onslaught and the American sealed the match with an amazing drop-shot winner.
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Keys, who reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2015 has now won nine consecutive games, with the last loss coming against Kayla Day in the French Open. It is unclear as of now who will Keys face in the quarterfinals but she will hope to get her hands on her first Grand Slam title.
