Asked about her best memory to date at the event, Keys admitted her two prior final-four appearances were contrasting experiences—the latter versus top-ranked home favorite Asheligh Barty resulting in a 6-1, 6-3 defeat when Keys was unseeded three years ago.
“Making my first semifinal here was absolutely amazing. Eventually losing to the champion, Serena, that was, I think, the first time that I played her. It was incredible to be able to play someone who has meant so much to me and the game. I think that was probably one of the best ones,” reflected the American.
“Losing to Ash wasn’t. That was one that I tried to forget.”
In the quarterfinals, Keys meets Elina Svitolina. The 28th seed cooled off Veronika Kudermetova, 6-4, 6-1, to equal her 2018-19 performances at the Happy Slam. Svitolina is bidding to make her first major semifinal since ousting Iga Swiatek in the 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinals.
