20 CoCo Vandeweghe vs. 15 Madison Keys

These two players have pretty similar game plans.  They like to dictate play and use paralyzing power to overwhelm an opponent.  Each player has reached the semifinal round of a major in the past.  Each player is poised to lead the next generation of US power brokers on the WTA Tour.  However, as the Highlander movies said, “There can only be one.”  So who wins in a match between similar players?

The sharper player is likely to win if they are each roughly equal in talent and have similar strategic goals on court.  CoCo Vandeweghe has beaten better players to reach this semifinal (including a straight set win over the #1 seed).  She should be sharper right?  Maybe not.  Keys might peak in the final match or two of the event rather than the middle rounds.  Also, Keys’ recovery from her own injury issues may add to her grit heading into this match.

It is a hard match to call.  Keys is slightly younger (22 rather than 25), but fatigue should not be a factor for either player as each won yesterday in straight sets and had days off between earlier matches.  A lot comes down to gut call.  My thought is that Keys has been more under the radar.  I think that will benefit Keys as external expectations are a bit lower for her despite her better seeding.

My Prediction: Madison Keys d. CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6, 6-2