Madison Keys, the 9th seed, has made a successful advance to the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open with a well-deserved 6-3, 6-3 win against Karolina Pliskova. This win is her 10th win in a row at Melbourne Park, extending the strong run that she took with her breakthrough Grand Slam title run last year.
Reflecting on the match, Madison Keys said she was happy with how he did, noting that being pushed on the court is sometimes good for her to find her groove. She stressed the importance of trusting her game and believing in herself regardless of how the match is going.
A Clash of Power Hitters
The matchup was two of the most respected ball strikers on the tour and both were known for their immense power. While Keys went into the tournament as a defending champion, Karolina Pliskova’s road has been far different. The 33-year-old Czech lost last year’s season opener because of a severe ankle injury that required two surgeries.
Karolina Pliskova was playing in her first tour-level event since the 2024 US Open, and understandable signs of rust were apparent early on.
Keys capitalised on this to storm to a quick 4-0 lead in the opening set on Rod Laver Arena. Although Karolina Pliskova was able to find her feet and reverse the tide for a short while with her signature forehand, Madison Keys was able to take control back with a run of backhand winners, closing out the first set of the match in 43 minutes.
Keys Finds Her Groove
As a Florida native, Madison Keys agreed that she thrives in the heat, and her ease in the game was evident as it went on. She captured the crucial break in the second set and ran the victory to the finish line with 25 winners and six aces.
Despite the loss, Karolina Pliskova’s run to the third round is quite the feat considering her prolonged hiatus and issues with her health. For Madison Keys, the focus now shifts to the round of 16 where she will face the sixth seed and her close friend, Jessica Pegula.
Focusing on the Present
As she enters the second week of her title defence, Madison Keys is keeping her head. She said the exhilaration of last year’s win feels like “old news” now, and makes it easier for her to be comfortable and focused on the task at hand. Her strategy remains simple: keep her head down and take care of the challenge directly in front of her.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
