America’s Madison Keys made a triumphant return to play against sixth seed Belinda Bencic, clinching three games in a row as she opened her...
America’s Madison Keys made a triumphant return to play against sixth seed Belinda Bencic, clinching three games in a row as she opened her campaign, winning her first match since September 6-4, 6-1.
But Swiss Bencic, making her third appearance at the Qatar Open where she made the quarter-finals last year, began her fightback in the fourth game.
The fatigue of playing into the final at the Adelaide International last week and the punishing flight to Qatar surely contributed to Bencic’s visible fatigue.
Keys was more proficient in the big moments, meaning Bencic struggled in vain to steal a break, allowing the American to mop up five of the first seven games.
But Bencic bounced back when she was two games behind Keys, securing the ninth game and an ace in the 39th minute which could have helped her go level.
Keys overcame her resistance to steal the first set and her backhand side allowed her to maintain the pressure on Bencic in the second.
Keys closed out the final games with stellar serving, a superb forehand and a memorable backhand to take the penultimate game.
Her form was reminiscent of that which got her to the US Open final in 2017.
“It’s amazing to be back – I’m smiling under my mask,” said Keys...
