Page 7 - Tennis Journal

11 |May 2013
SLOANE STEPHENS: The 20-year-old is the youngest player in the
top 20, mostly by virtue of a strong Australian summer. She
reached the Hobart semis and then stunned Serena Williams to
reach the final four in Melbourne, where she lost a controversial
match to eventual champ Victoria Azarenka. First young U.S.
woman with top-five potential since Serena broke out in 1998.
MADISON KEYS: The 18-year-old American is the youngest
player in the top 75 and packs power. The daughter of two attor-
neys, she isn’t blessed with pro athletes’ genes, but she’s smart
and has a naturally strong build. Her Aussie summer wins of
over Safarova, Zheng and Paszek, and the way she pushed Li Na
in a three-set loss, shows how much upside she has.
HEAD
Still learning how pro tour works (as well as her
opponents tendencies), but rarely gets blown out.
A positive person, can be self-critical, but doesn't
get too far down on herself. However, needs to bet-
ter understand the ebbs and flows of matches.
MOVEMENT
Her weakest area. She’s still attempting to
become more fit and develop better balance.
Not slow, but not a speedster either. Can be
exposed on the run and (as seen in her loss
to Lauren Davis in Miami) can lack confi-
dence in long rallies.
BACKHAND
Not as strong as her forehand, but not a weak shot either
and a wing that is improving. Her down-the-line two-han-
der can be a tough read. Doesn't have the consistent depth
or pace on her crosscourt like a Wozniacki or Azarenka —
can stick in rallies, but grows impatient.
SERVE
Very few young women can clock a
first serve at 120 mph, but Keys can,
which allows her to hold frequently,
even on off days. The slice serve out
wide is usually on target, too. The kick
serve is still developing, but she might
just have the best serve on the WTA
Tour when Serena retires.
RETURN
Can club the ball and will try to at-
tack second serves without mercy,
but sometimes doesn't move her
feet enough when returning first
serves and can be fooled.
FOREHAND
A blistering shot that she can club to the cor-
ners and keep deep when she gets her feet set.
Still isn’t that accurate on the run, but when
controlling the court with her forehand she’s
going to be able to win most points.
NET GAME
Is willing to finish points at the net and has nifty vol-
leys. Will muff some on occasion and isn’t great on
the full stretch, but her commitment to the net means
that she has a fine understanding of what it is to be
an all-around attacking player.
INTANGIBLES
Heard premature chatter during the Aussie Open declaring that she already
has No. 1 material and is a lock to reach the top 5, and although she’s level-
headed it’s hard not to have that expectation ringing in her head. Her coaches
have done a good job helping her keep her feet on the ground, but she’s
clearly still a work in progress. A very good 2013 for Keys would be finishing
in the top 30, but it probably won’t be until 2014-2015 that we see whether
she can be a consistent threat to the top five.
By Matthew Cronin
Photos by Mal Taam