Vandeweghe, Keys Complete All-American Semifinals at US Open

A U.S. women’s winner became guaranteed at the US Open on Wednesday when CoCo Vandeweghe and Madison Keys completed an all-American semifinals at the US Open.
ADHEREL
Keys was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over unseeded Kaia Kanepi, while Vandeweghe beat world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 7-6(4), 6-3.

It will be the first all-American women’s semifinals since 1981.

Keys saved all three break points she faced, and had a workwoman-like 23 winners to 21 unforced errors.

“I was really nervous all day,” Keys said afterwards.

The No. 20-seeded Vandeweghe ended Pliskova’s attempt to hold on to the No. 1 ranking, and now Garbine Muguruza will take the No. 1 throne.

“I think it’s a lot of validated work,” Vandeweghe said of her win over the world No. 1. “Really happy with how I was able to close out the match in the fashion that I did and in front of the crowd today.”

Earlier this year she beat another world No. 1, Angie Kerber, at the Australian Open.

“I think there were moments where I was really tough in the big points, and I think my best asset today was making her continually play on her service games,” she said. “Whether it was not a great return that just got over the net, I know as a big server it’s really annoying when your serve keeps coming back.”

Vandeweghe spoke of facing Keys, who she lost to twice this summer.

“Madison is a player that can take control of the points and of the rallies — I think if I allow her to do that, then she’s going to be on the winning side of the coin,” said Vandeweghe. “So I think it’s definitely going to depend on me and making sure she’s not capable of doing that.”

Tomorrow at the US Open will feature the two all-American women’s semifinals, (9) Venus Williams vs. Sloane Stephens, and (20) CoCo Vandeweghe vs. (15) Madison Keys.