5 best moments of Madison Keys in 2016

ROME, ITALY - MAY 15: Madison Keys of the United States in action against Serena Williams of the United States during the Womens Singles Finalduring day eight of The Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2016 on May 15, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) — Keys made the finals at the clay-court Internazional BNL d’Italia this year, losing to Serena Williams

#1 Keys books a spot in the WTA Finals

SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 25: Madison Keys of the United States plays a backhand in her singles match against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during day 3 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 25, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — Madison Keys’ ascent up the rankings qualified her for the year-ending WTA Finals, for the top 8 ranked players

After an impressive year, Keys deserved to be in the mix for a spot in the year-ending WTA finals at Singapore. Going into the WTA events at Beijing and Linz at the start of October, Keys had to win one of the tournaments or enjoy a deep run in both to clinch one of the 8 spots available.

That is exactly what the young American proceeded to do. Keys reached the semifinal at Beijing after demolishing Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals. But she was unable to outmanoeuvre Johanna Konta in the semifinal and crashed out.

But the determined American went on to give a good account of herself at Linz to reach the semifinal of the Generali Ladies Open. She defeated Oceane Dodin to reach the semifinal. Sadly, a sick Keys had to pull out of the semifinal where she was slated to face Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland. But, importantly, she had already clinched a spot in the WTA Finals.

Though Keys could not progress past the group stage in the season-ending event, it did not tarnish an extremely positive 2016 for the American.