Danielle Collins has been the most talked about American in recent months and for good reason given the titles that she has won. But
Madison Keys proved that the talk should perhaps also be about her going into Roland Garros as she stole a march in a clinical Strasbourg final.
It was a 6-1, 6-2 win over Collins for Keys as she continued her exquisite form as of late. Since having injury issues that put her on the shelf and also in doubt earlier this season, she has hit the ground running on clay. In particular in Europe, she has shined which can only be a good omen going into Roland Garros.
It is a first ever title on red clay for Keys who has only been defeated by Iga Swiatek, no disgrace at all in recent weeks. She lost in the Madrid Open semi-finals to her and also in the Rome Open Quarter-Finals. Very similar to Collins only losing to Sabalenka as of late, it has been very much only the best taking the shine out of Keys.
Winning in just over an hour and 14 minutes, she won both sets devastatingly. She only allowed one break point chance on her serve all set while she was 4-1 up to start the match breaking at all but one opportunity. She sealed it 6-1 and that march continued towards the finishing line.
Initially going 3-0 up on Collins, the former came back to 3-2 down as she broke the Keys serve. The rival is on? Not in this case as Keys came back to break straight back and despite taking five attempts to seal the title, she did so finally. Often a key to Roland Garros is Strasbourg the week before with Krejcikova going on to win the title and Elina Svitolina having great success last year.
It is like alluded to a first on red clay with Keys previously a winner on green in Charleston. It is also a first of the season and a first in nearly a year since Eastbourne in 2023.
