Cincinnati (USA) (AFP)
Madison Keys of the United States won the Cincinnati WTA tournament, beating Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) on Sunday.
Keys, a 24-year-old 18th World Player who has already won in Charleston this season, won the fifth title of her career against an opponent she has beaten four times in as many games. The American, finalist of the US Open 2017, will enter the Top 10 Monday.
The 63-year-old Svetlana Kuznetsova, now 153rd in the world, was the surprise, beating Australian Ashleigh Barty (6-2, 6-4) in the semi-finals Saturday, who could once again be number one if she won.
Keys makes a spectacular comeback after his premature eliminations at Wimbledon, Washington and Toronto this year.
Kuznetsova, former world number 2 in 2007 with two Grand Slam tournaments to his name (US Open 2004, Roland-Garros 2009), remains at eighteen titles on the WTA circuit.
The Russian has nevertheless served twice for the set, 5-4 in his favor in each round, but has cracked and got himself back. Keys relied on his service, scoring 13 aces in a 1-hour, 22-minute match over a final foul by Kuznetsova.
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