Keys vs Buzarnescu 03/06/2018

Keys vs Buzarnescu Match Preview

Madison Keys withstood Naomi Osaka, 6-0 7-6, to record her tenth career victory at the French Open and move into its fourth round for the second time. In the first set, the American faced no break point, while in the second set, she was forced to save two set points.
The win over world #20 Osaka is Keys’ first top 20 win at French Open, having met only one such player at Paris in the past (#11 Errani in 2014). It is also her best win on clay since defeating #4 Muguruza and #9 Kvitova en route to 2016 Rome runner-up finish.
The 2017 US Open runner-up started her campaign by taking out two compatriots, Sachia Vickery and Caroline Dolehide, in routine straight sets. So far in the three wins this fortnight, Keys has fired 70 winners, while winning 73% behind her first serve.
Mihaela Buzarnescu has produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by dispatching fourth seed Elina Svitolina in the third round, 6-3 7-5. The Romanian struck 31 winners to the Ukrainian’s 11, while not allowing Svitolina to win more than 46% on her first serve.
The 30-year-old, who debuted in the top 100 and won her first tour-level main draw match less than a year ago, is a win away from confirming her top 30 debut. She has now secured her first top five win of her career, having defeated previously #6 Ostapenko at 2018 Doha.
Buzarnescu had an excellent season so far, even before this fortnight. She made her first two career finals, at Hobart and Prague, losing to Elise Mertens and Petra Kvitova. Her 14-6 has also been highlighted by a semifinal finish at Strasbourg (l. Cibulkova).
This will be Keys’ first encounter with Buzarnescu. While the American is still the favorite and has won her last two slam fourth-round matches, Buzarnescu is on the highest point of her career right now and must be highly motivated to take out the 13th seed.