A chance to keep winning.
The long wait for a the next American tennis superstar may be over.
Even though Serena Williams appears to be on the top of her game as the 2013 season starts, and her sister Venus is also playing courageously, all eyes on Friday will be focused on Madison Keys, the 17-year old from the Quad Cities. No disrespect to a group of up to 10 other young American women making waves and cracking the top-100 in the world.
After what appeared to be a routine win over a seeded player in Tamira Paszek on Wednesday, Keys now advances to the third round and a meeting with a top-10 player in Angelique Kerber.
Is it another winnable match?
We'll find out, but Keys is never one to be lacking in the confidence department, and she has put in the hard work.
"It makes me really happy," Keys said. "I've been working really hard. I think it's starting to show."
Keys is playing in the Australian Open using the USTA Wildcard she won in playoff last month in Atlanta.
In Atlanta, Keys dominated the playoff.
"I feel good about what is ahead in 2013, if I keep working, I'll keep getting better and good things will happen."
Keys served notice a week or so ago when she pushed a top player in Li Na to three sets.
“It was a huge confidence boost,” Keys said on ESPN. “It made me feel really good. It made me see that if I’m playing well and staying calm and everything I can play pretty well.”
Keys has a long career ahead of her, but she feels her time begins now in Melbourne.
“I feel more prepared for this (major),” she said. “My first U.S. Open main draw (in 2011), it was a big stadium and (I) wasn’t really used to it. But I feel good about this one so far.”
There will be plenty of big stadiums and moments for this young American. Friday could be the first of many.
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