Australian Open 2015: Serena Williams vs Madison Keys match preview

A look ahead to the semi-final match in women’s singles

(Getty Images)

Madison Keys, 19, has shaken up women’s tennis after reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne. The young American admitted she got into tennis because she used to watch the Williams sisters dominate the game.

In the quarter-final she had a chance to live a dream, and beat one of her idols in Venus Williams. Although Keys required a medical timeout for her thigh injury, she returned to power past a woman 15 years her senior.

Keys will again have the chance to play one of her idols, when she squares off against the younger sister, Serena, in the semi-finals.

The two players ,who live just 30 miles away from each other, have never met before on tour, but Keys, aged 14 at the time, famously beat Williams before (5-1) as part of the World Team Tennis.

Williams will look to make her way towards a first Australian Open title since 2010, while Keys will look reach her first ever Grand Slam final. The winner will face either Maria Sharapova or Ekaterina Makarova in the final on Saturday.

START: Thursday, Rod Laver Arena, third match of the morning session (starting at 00.00 GMT)

PAST MEETINGS:

N/A

STATS…

Williams has never lost in the semi-finals in Melbourne.

Williams leads the event’s ranking for aces with 57. Keys comes in second place with 30.

Keys (ranked 35th) is the only player from outside the top 10 left in the competition.

Keys won her first title in Eastbourne last season, which remains her only title to date.

ODDS…

Williams to win 1.14

Keys to win 5.50

TV: British Eurosport