WTA 500 Adelaide: Defending Champion Madison Keys Starts Strong, Vondrousova Withdraws Before Second Round

Madison Keys Cruises Past Tereza Valentova in Adelaide Opener, Vondrousova Exits with Injury

© AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 14/01/2026 à 08h10

2 min to read

Adélaïde Birrell Kimberly Cristian Jaqueline Kasatkina Daria Keys Madison Valentova Tereza Vondrousova Marketa

Madison Keys' return to Adelaide was highly anticipated. Crowned champion last year in this tournament at the expense of Jessica Pegula, the world No. 9 is starting a crucial January for her ranking this week.

With 2500 points to defend by the end of the Australian Open, the 30-year-old player knows she will need to win as many matches as possible in a country that served her very well last season.

Keys Escapes Valentova Trap, Vondrousova Fails to Follow Up

Facing the talented Tereza Valentova in the round of 16, Keys did not miss her opening match. Against the Czech, who defeated Jelena Ostapenko via retirement in the first round, the American took control of the match from the start.

After a tight first set in which Valentova twice held a break advantage, Keys finally found the resources to close out the match in two sets (6-4, 6-1 in 1h23). She will face Victoria Mboko for a spot in the semifinals.

"I Am Focused on Treatment and Recovery"

Meanwhile, Marketa Vondrousova was unable to build on her win against Liudmila Samsonova. Affected by a shoulder injury, the Czech withdrew before facing Kimberly Birrell.

"Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the Adelaide tournament. I am focused on treatment and recovery, hoping to return as soon as possible. Thank you for your support," Vondrousova assured the tournament media.

Birrell, world No. 107, will face Jaqueline Cristian in the quarterfinals. The Romanian delivered an impressive performance to defeat Daria Kasatkina (6-4, 6-0). The world No. 37 is in excellent form in this tournament.

Coming through qualifying, she then dominated Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and now has a winnable quarterfinal against a player ranked outside the top 100.