The 2025 Madrid Open has ignited the clay courts of the Caja Mágica, and American stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys have powered their way into the Round of 16, showcasing resilience and skill in their respective third-round matches on Saturday, April 26. Gauff, the No. 3 seed and reigning US Open champion, delivered a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over compatriot Ann Li, while Keys fought through a grueling contest to defeat Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 7-5. Their performances highlight a strong American presence at the WTA 1000 event, with both players setting the stage for an anticipated all-American clash in the next round.
Gauff’s match against Li was a masterclass in control, as the 21-year-old overcame an early stumble to dominate. After dropping the first two games, Gauff found her rhythm, reeling off eight consecutive games to seize command. Her aggressive baseline play and precise shot-making overwhelmed Li, who struggled to counter Gauff’s pace on the high-altitude clay. “I played really well today,” Gauff said, reflecting on her performance. “She’s a tough opponent, especially on clay, but I just felt like I could step in more.” The victory, which took just over an hour, marked Gauff’s third straight year reaching at least the Round of 16 in Madrid, though she has yet to advance to the quarterfinals at this tournament, a milestone she’s eager to achieve.
Keys, the No. 18 seed, faced a sterner test against Kalinskaya, a rising star known for her tenacity on clay. The match was a rollercoaster, with both players trading breaks in a tightly contested first set. Keys, who has historically struggled in Madrid with seven first-round exits in nine prior appearances, leaned on her powerful serve and forehand to edge out a 6-4 opener. The second set saw Kalinskaya push back, leveling the score at 5-5 after trailing 4-2. But Keys, drawing on her experience, stayed composed, breaking Kalinskaya’s serve in the 11th game and holding firm to close out the 7-5 set. “I had to stay calm and trust myself,” Keys said post-match, emphasizing her mental fortitude. Her win sets up a blockbuster fourth-round showdown with Gauff, a rematch of their 2024 Madrid clash where Keys triumphed in three sets.
The Gauff-Keys matchup promises fireworks, given their competitive history. The pair are tied 2-2 in career meetings, with Keys winning their most recent encounter at the 2023 Eastbourne International, 6-3, 6-3. Gauff, however, holds a slight edge in total games won across their battles, making this a toss-up. Gauff’s clay-court prowess—she boasts a 61.7% service game win rate on the surface over the past year—contrasts with Keys’ ability to seize opportunities, as evidenced by her 42.1% break-point conversion rate in recent tournaments. “It’s great to see so many Americans doing well here,” Gauff noted, acknowledging the strong U.S. contingent, which also includes Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin, and Peyton Stearns still in contention.
For Gauff, Madrid represents a chance to rebound from a rocky start to 2025. After a quarterfinal loss to Jasmine Paolini at the Stuttgart Open and a dip to No. 4 in the WTA rankings, the 2022 French Open finalist is determined to rediscover her form on clay, a surface where she’s historically thrived. Her earlier Madrid matches—a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Arantxa Rus and a 6-4, 6-1 win over Dayana Yastremska—signal her growing confidence. Keys, meanwhile, is riding a wave of momentum after missing the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury. Her back-to-back wins in Madrid, including a straight-sets victory over Liudmila Samsonova in the second round, mark her strongest showing at the tournament since 2016.
The broader context of the Madrid Open adds intrigue to their journeys. Posts on X have celebrated the “top American turn-out” as Gauff and Keys lead a robust U.S. charge, with fans buzzing about the potential for an American to claim the title. The tournament, known for its fast-playing clay due to Madrid’s altitude, favors aggressive players like Keys, but Gauff’s versatility and defensive skills make her a formidable foe. As they prepare for their fourth-round battle, both players are aware of the stakes: a quarterfinal berth and a chance to make a statement on the road to the French Open.
Gauff and Keys embody the depth of American women’s tennis, blending youthful exuberance with veteran savvy. Their clash will not only test their skills but also highlight the sport’s evolving landscape, where new stars rise and established names fight to stay atop the game. For now, the Caja Mágica awaits their showdown, a moment that could define their clay-court campaigns.