Keys M. vs Zakharova A.

WTA London – Match Preview

Keys M. vs Zakharova A.

🧠 Form & Context

• Madison Keys 🇺🇸
  The reigning Australian Open champion is in top form, holding a 28–7 record in 2025. She followed up her Grand Slam title with a quarterfinal run at Roland-Garros, nearly upsetting Gauff. With 50 career grass wins and eight career QFs or better on the surface, Keys is no stranger to grass success. Her powerful serve and flat groundstrokes make her a dangerous opponent on slick courts, and she arrives fresh thanks to a first-round bye.
• Anastasia Zakharova 🇷🇺
  Zakharova is enjoying a breakout moment, having just recorded her first-ever top-50 win by beating Donna Vekic in straight sets. She’s put together a solid 2025 so far, with a 17–15 WTA record and three W100 ITF titles over the past year. Grass is a newly conquered frontier—now 3–0 on the surface this year, after going just 1–4 in previous seasons. She came through qualifying, saving a match point in the final round, and is playing with high confidence.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Zakharova brings consistency, work ethic, and high confidence—but she doesn’t have the weaponry to threaten Keys on grass if the American is in rhythm. Her margin-based game and moderate pace can be effective on slower surfaces but may not hold up under the pressure of Keys’ first-strike tennis.

Keys will look to dominate with her serve and dictate points with her forehand. If she finds rhythm early, she should be able to take time away from Zakharova and keep the rallies short. As always, the only question mark is whether Keys maintains her focus and keeps the unforced errors in check.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Keys in straight sets.
Zakharova deserves praise for her impressive run, but Keys brings a level of experience, firepower, and grass pedigree that should prove too much. Expect patches of resistance from Zakharova, but Keys should cruise through if she stays composed.