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Match Details
Fixture: (4) Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez
Date: June 28, 2024
Tournament: Rothesay International 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: Devonshire Park LTC, Eastbourne, United Kingdom
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Tennis Channel, BBC | Canada - TSN+
Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez preview
Defending champion Madison Keys will take on Leylah Fernandez in the semifinals of the 2024 Rothesay International.
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After a successful clay swing, Keys arrived in Eastbourne for the Rothesay International, her first tournament of the grass season. She received a bye into the second round as the fourth seed, and commenced her title defence with a 7-6 (5), 6-1 win over Anhelina Kalinina.
Keys was due to face Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals, who had just returned to action following a 10-month injury hiatus. Unfortunately, the latter withdrew prior to the start of their match, which paved the way for the American to advance to the semifinals.
Fernandez ousted former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in three sets to begin her Rothesay International journey. She then scored an easy 6-2, 6-1 win over Ashlyn Krueger to reach her second consecutive quarterfinal on grass.
Fernandez was up against home favorite Harriet Dart for a spot in the last four. The Canadian got broken at the start of the match but swept six of the next seven games to take the first set. She was on top of her opponent throughout the second set as well, and conceded only one game in it for a 6-2, 6-1 win.
Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
Keys leads Fernandez 1-0 in the head-to-head. She won their previous encounter in the second round of the 2021 French Open in straight sets.
Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Madison Keys vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Keys' title defence has been easier than expected as Muchova's untimely injury sent her into the semifinals without hitting a single shot. Nevertheless, she looked quite sharp against Kalinina before that. The American saved 10 of the 11 break points that she faced, and won 72 percent of her first serve points.
After coming through a tough opener against Krejcikova, Fernandez has been on a roll. While she was off to a slow start against Dart in the previous round, she staged a quick turnaround to run away with the match. The Canadian has now reached her first semifinal of the season, and her first at the WTA 500 level as well.
The big-hitting Keys will need to remain on guard against Fernandez's defensive tactics. The latter's court coverage and the ability to redirect the ball make her quite the threat.
Fernandez has already notched up a few wins on grass, which could further sway the tide in her favor. However, Keys is quite competent on grass herself and boasts of a better record on the surface compared to her younger rival. The American will be favored to reach a second straight final in Eastbourne.
Pick: Madison Keys to win in three sets.
