Adelaide International: Madison Keys 'Leans On Experience' To Down Czech Teen Tereza Valentova

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 15:57 IST

Keys registered a 6-4, 6-1 victory over the Czech teenager Valentova, and touched up on the challenges of coming up against the young and upcoming crop of players.

Madison Keys. (ap)

American ace Madison Keys moved into the quarterfinal of the Adelaide International on Wednesday with her straight sets triumph over Tereza Valentova.

Keys, the defending Australian Open champion, registered a 6-4, 6-1 victory over the Czech teenager Valentova, and touched up on the challenges of coming up against the young and upcoming crop of players.

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“Experience helps get through the tricky moments," Keys said.

“I was able to take momentum in the second set and play really well. I had to raise my level. You have to take your chances on any opportunities you get," the American added.

“I have to lean on my experience a little bit. They are so young, have so much energy and are just so good. You expect them to play great tennis."

Keys committed seven double faults in the opening set against the 18-year-old but improved in the second set, breaking twice and converting her third match point to secure a quarter-final spot after an 85-minute match.

The American will face another teenager, 17th-ranked Victoria Mboko, in the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old Canadian gained international recognition last year by winning the WTA 1000 title in Montreal and the Hong Kong Open.

Keys began her 2026 Australian Open preparations last week in Brisbane, where she lost in the quarter-finals to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final.

Keys pulled off a massive upset in the final of the 2025 edition of the Australian Open with her win over World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, which put an end to the Belarussian’s pursuit of an AO three-peat. Keys will looks to defend her crown at the year’s first Grand Slam evet, but it will be a job easier said than done.

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