Using a serves that topped out on the radar at at 124mph, Sabine Lisicki knocked out young American Madison Keys in straight sets on Tuesday at the U.S. National Indoor Championships in Memphis.
While Keys hit the most impressive shots of the match with blistering ground strokes, Lisicki relied on her experience and the variety in her game to take the 7-5, 6-3 victory. A now healthy Lisicki is going to be a tough out on the quick indoor courts of the Racquet Club of Memphis, apparently even with a slow start.
"I think I didn't start serving so well, but I did the right things at the right time," offered up the German-born Lisicki. "That is what it takes sometimes."
While Lisicki has been a fixture on the WTA Tour for years and all the players have seen her play, Lisicki surprisingly said she had never seen Keys play.
I didn't know how she was playing, so I had to get used to her," said Lisicki. "I had never seen her play, so I had to make adjustments."
Keys, on the other hand had seen her opponent numerous times and knew what to expect.
"I've obviously seen her play, and feel we play similarly," pointed out Keys after the match.
When a reporter mentioned to Lisicki she hit a serve that topped out at that 124 mark on the radar gun, Lisicki smiled and said she saw that as well.
She said she will continue to go for serves and she's pleased with the way she is serving.
As for the rest of her game, she feels it's all coming together.
"I played the finals in Pattaya City and lost 7-6 in the third set, and I could've won that match," explained Lisicki.
She also said she was battling a sickness, but now that has cleared up and she's looking for a big week in Memphis.
If she keeps playing like this, Lisicki should find herself serving big in Saturday night's finals.
Comments