MIAMI — It would be understandable if Madison Keys wanted to relax after her Australian Open victory, a dream she had since childhood.
But that`s not her mentality.
“I think in many ways, it has motivated me to achieve more because winning was very enjoyable,” Keys told reporters before the Miami Open. “I definitely want to experience that again.”
“There`s also a sense of liberation. It felt like something expected of me for a long time. Moving past that personally has helped me enjoy tennis more. I`m excited to continue playing with this newfound freedom.”
Keys, seeded No. 5, started the year ranked No. 21. Now, after almost three months, she`s No. 1 in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals, leading World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and the impressive 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
After defeating Elina Avanesyan 6-3, 6-3 on Friday night, Keys has won 19 out of 21 matches this season, securing titles in Adelaide and Melbourne. Only Andreeva, with 20 wins, has more victories.
Keys is set to face teenage wild card Alexandra Eala, who surprisingly defeated No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(2), 7-5 in the third round on Sunday.
Despite her success, Keys experienced disappointment at Indian Wells after taking six weeks off post-Australian Open. She had strong wins, including a 6-1, 6-1 quarterfinal victory over Belinda Bencic, marking her 16th straight win. She anticipated another match against Sabalenka, whom she beat in the Australian Open final.
However, Sabalenka claimed revenge with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory, sending Keys back to Florida to reset.
Is it easier to handle a crushing defeat than a close tiebreak loss?
“The emotional distress of a tight match with missed opportunities is more challenging,” Keys explained. “For me, last week’s loss was frustrating. I couldn`t find my rhythm, which is never enjoyable.
“But looking at the bigger picture of the year, I`ve had many great matches and overcome challenges. Sometimes, you just have a bad day. By the time I returned to practice, I was clear-headed and ready for the Miami Open.”
This upcoming match against Eala could be demanding. Eala has impressed with wins over Ostapenko and Katie Volynets. The 19-year-old could become the first Filipino player in the Open Era to beat a Grand Slam champion at the WTA level, and the first at WTA/ATP level since 2003. Naomi Osaka and Zheng Qinwen are the only other Asian teenagers to defeat a major champion in the last decade.
Keys was once a young prodigy herself. A professional tennis player for over half her life, she turned 30 last month. Even she was somewhat surprised by her Melbourne victory.
“It`s a huge accomplishment and something I`m incredibly proud of,” Keys stated. “I`m focused on building on that, carrying the momentum and confidence forward.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth