Madison Keys has seemingly forgotten how to lose, continuing her impressive showing at the BNP Paribas Open by winning her 16th consecutive match.
On March 13, 2025, Keys dominated Belinda Bencic with a stunning 6-1, 6-1 performance at Indian Wells, securing her place in the semifinals for the first time ever. This victory came just 64 minutes after the match began and marked the completion of yet another stage of her remarkable career.
The American tennis star, now 30, has been on fire since her breakthrough at the Australian Open, where she claimed her first Grand Slam title. Following her triumph there, Keys also won her previous lead-in tournament held in Adelaide.
With this latest victory, Keys improves her head-to-head record against Bencic to 3-2, showcasing her progression and skill during this phenomenal streak. Notably, her current winning run places her as the player with the second-most wins in consecutive matches after turning 30, surpassed only by legends like Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams.
No stranger to tight matches, Keys has not dropped any of her ten three-set wins this season, demonstrating her resilience and determination. She attributed her success to the confidence gained from her recent victories. "The reality of winning as many matches as I have this early in a season hasn't ever really happened for me, so I think there is definitely a lot of just kind of confidence from all those wins under your belt," she mentioned post-match.
Now ranked No. 5, her highest position, this latest victory has elevated her status both on and off the court. Her semifinal appearance at Indian Wells is historic; she's the fourth player to reach this stage after the age of 30, joining Elena Vesnina (2017), Flavia Pennetta (2014), and Martina Navratilova (1990). Each of the previous three went on to win the title, highlighting the potential significance of this achievement.
Looking forward to her next challenge, Keys is set to face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on March 14, 2025. This match will be particularly exciting as it’s a rematch of the Australian Open final, where Keys triumphed over Sabalenka with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. The upcoming semifinal will undoubtedly be closely watched, as both players have high stakes.
Sabalenka advanced to this stage with her own victory, defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-3. Pitting these two powerful players against each other creates anticipation for what could be another gripping encounter.
Madison Keys' remarkable consistency and evolution throughout the 2025 season raise questions on what this seasoned player can achieve moving forward. If her current form continues, there’s every reason to speculate about the possibility of her winning not only the BNP Paribas Open but also extending her high-level performance for weeks to come. With such momentum on her side, forgetting how to lose may just become the new norm for Keys.
Fans of the sport await what promises to be an exhilarating matchup when Keys steps onto the court, hoping she can continue her winning streak and take one step closer to another title.