Madrid Open 2024: Coco Gauff vs Madison Keys preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Fixture: (3) Coco Gauff vs (18) Madison Keys
Date: April 29, 2024
Tournament: Madrid Open 2024
Round: Fourth Round (Round of 16)
Venue: La Caja Magica
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €7,877,020
Live Telecast: USA- Tennis Channel | UK- Sky Sports | Canada- TSN+
Coco Gauff vs Madison Keys preview
Third seed Coco Gauff will take on 18th seed Madison Keys in the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
Gauff has won 21 out of 27 matches so far in 2024. She won the ASB Classic in Auckland and also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The 20-year-old received a bye to the second round of the Madrid Open and started the tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of Arantxa Rus. She then faced 31st seed Dayana Yastremska in the third round and cruised to a 5-0 lead in the first set.
However, the Ukrainian fought back before Gauff eventually closed out the set at 6-4. The World No. 3 dominated the second set to register a 6-4, 6-1 win and reach the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
Madison Keys has played only eight matches so far this season, with five wins to her name. The 29-year-old's 2024 started at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where she reached the third round. She followed it up with a fourth-round exit at the Miami Open.
The World No. 20 started the clay season at the Credit One Open in Charleston, suffering an opening-round exit. She then competed at the Madrid Open, receiving a bye to the second round because of her seeding.
Keys started the WTA 1000 event with a hard-fought 7-6(6), 7-6(6) win over Irina-Camelia Begu. She then faced 15th seed Liudmila Samsonova in the third round and broke her twice to win the opening set 6-2. The 29-year-old broke the Russian's serve another two times in the second set to seal a 6-2, 6-3 win and book her place in the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
Coco Gauff vs Madison Keys head-to-head
The head-to-head between the two players is currently tied at 2-2. Their most recent encounter came in the semifinals of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne last year, with Keys winning 6-3, 6-3.
Coco Gauff vs Madison Keys odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Coco Gauff vs Madison Keys prediction
Gauff's recent run of form makes her the favorite ahead of the match. However, Keys is no slouch and is very much capable of giving her compatriot a run for her money.
The World No. 3 has served four aces so far throughout the Madrid Open while producing 11 double faults, something she cannot afford to do. Gauff's game has elevated to another level since the addition of Brad Gilbert to her coaching team. Her mentality has gotten better and we can expect her to put on an impressive show against Madison Keys.
The World No. 20 has a powerful serve that has fetched her 10 aces so far throughout the Madrid Open. She has also won 72 out of 104 points (69.2%) so far on her first serve. Keys is among the most powerful hitters of a tennis ball on the WTA Tour and will have to be as aggressive as she can in order to come out on top.
While the 29-year-old is not to be written off, Gauff's quality should be able to see her come out on top and reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.
Pick: Gauff to win in three sets.