Keys Dominates Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Secure Charleston Open Semifinal Spot
In a highly-anticipated clash at the Credit One Charleston Open, the 2025 Australian Open champion squared off against the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year! Madison Keys aimed to rediscover her rhythm and confidence after a drop in ranking from a peak of #5 to #18. The thirty-one-year-old from Rock Island, Illinois, entered this match without having lost a set in her previous two outings.
Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who welcomed her first child in 2024, made a successful return to the tour last year, winning two WTA 500 events. This season, she began strong with her Swiss team, reaching the finals of the United Cup, boasting an undefeated singles record that included impressive victories over world #2 Iga Swiatek and #8 Jasmine Paolini.
Both players, former champions of the Charleston Open, boasted ten career titles and were vying for their first semifinal berth of the year. Keys held a slight edge in their head-to-head record at 3-2, despite Bencic’s straight-set triumph in their previous clay clash at the 2022 Charleston Open, where she ultimately clinched the title.
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Keys called the toss and chose to receive. Bencic made a flawless start with 5/5 first serves, holding at love, while Keys struggled with four unforced errors, dropping her serve. After facing a challenging break point, Bencic double-faulted but managed to regain the break. Keys dazzled with stunning winners, leveling the score at two.
Bencic responded with two consecutive winners, easily holding serve, while Keys continued to rack up errors but fought hard to hold for 3-3. After struggling on serve, Bencic held once more, while Keys managed to find her rhythm again, including two aces to snag the lead.
Despite her comeback, Bencic faced a break point but held firm for 5-4. Keys, battling to stay in the set, delivered her third ace to stave off a set point, but a netted forehand conceded the set to Bencic.
In the second set, Bencic served first and faced intense pressure but held on. Keys remained resilient, leveling the set with towering serves that led to aces. However, her frustration began showing with increased unforced errors. A series of mistakes from Bencic opened the door for Keys to seize the break and an early lead in the second set.
Keys continued to dominate, showcasing powerful forehands that led her to a convincing lead at 4-2. Bencic, now feeling the pressure, faced break points yet managed to hold, but Keys’ relentless serve kept her in control. Bencic’s growing mistakes, including a string of double faults, ultimately resulted in another set in Keys’ favor after a bathroom break.
Keys’ serve was top-notch in the final set, marking an impressive start with her seventh ace. Though she faced double break points, she remained cool under pressure. Bencic, unraveling, succumbed to further unforced errors, losing serve yet again.
Despite a brief resurgence, Keys continued to blast through the match, holding serve with powerful groundstrokes. Bencic, now fighting to stay in touch, struggled to maintain her serve amid a growing error count and closed the match with her sixth double fault.
This fierce showdown marked a significant turnaround for Keys, as she notched her first victory against a top twenty opponent this season, along with her first semifinal appearance. She has reduced her unforced errors, amplified her aggression, and showcased a commanding serve throughout the match.
By the match’s end, Keys recorded eight aces and two double faults, winning 72% of first serve points and 36% on second serves. She was clutch on break points, saving 9/12 and converting 6/12, demonstrating her relentless intensity on returns as well.
During her press conference, I posed a question to Keys about her impressive return game against Bencic’s serve. She noted, “I think it was really crucial today. Even with the scoreline, I had several more break point chances that I set myself up for. While I may not have converted every point, creating those opportunities builds pressure and instills confidence for my own service games.”
Awaiting Keys in the semifinal is Yulia Starodubtseva, currently ranked #89, who topped world #53 McCartney Kessler in her own journey to the semifinals. The twenty-six-year-old Ukrainian is making her tournament debut, having only dropped one set thus far.
