As the Indian Wells Open progresses, Madison Keys, despite a hard-won victory in the R32, voiced her dissatisfaction, stating, “I don’t think I played my best level, and I think that was more frustrating just because I’m starting to expect a little bit more of myself.” Riding high on a 14-match winning spree, Keys is now set to lock horns with Donna Vekic in the R16. Vekic, still basking in the glory of a Top 10 win, is aiming to topple the 2025 Australian Open champion and notch another Top 10 victory under her belt.
Keys, who embarked on the Indian Wells tournament with a crystal clear objective of clinching her third title of the season, has already tasted victory twice this year in Adelaide and Melbourne. Her journey got off to a flying start with a straight-set triumph over Anastasia Potapova in the R64. However, she faced stiff resistance from Elise Mertens in the next round, eventually emerging victorious after a grueling match that lasted two hours and 48 minutes with a scoreline of 6-2, 6(8)-7, 6-4.
In contrast, Vekic has had a roller-coaster season so far but has managed to maintain a clean slate in this tournament to date. She defeated Keys’ fellow American, Emma Navarro, in the R32 with a score of 7-6(5),6-1.
Looking at their past encounters, Keys and Vekic have faced each other three times, with the American leading the tally 2-1. In 2019 and 2016, Keys outplayed Vekic in Toronto and at the French Open, while the latter triumphed in Rome in 2018.
As the current scenario stands, Keys appears to have an edge over Vekic, thanks primarily to her stellar form this season. The world number 5 boasts a commendable win-loss record of 16-1 in 2025, while Vekic stands at 5-7.
Analyzing their playing styles, Vekic is renowned for her swift gameplay and flat shots. Her powerful serve and strong forehand are her key strengths, but her on-court movements and shot selection often let her down. Similarly, Keys, known for her aggressive baseline play, relies heavily on her groundstrokes to accumulate points. Her potent serve and tactical gameplay are her strong points.
Given her past performance on this surface, including reaching the QF in 2022, and the support she’s likely to receive from the home crowd, Keys is the expected winner of this epic showdown. A victory for her will extend her impressive winning streak, while a loss for Vekic will stall her quest for a 1000-level quarterfinal appearance. The winner of this match will lock horns with either Coco Gauff or Belinda Bencic in the Quarter Finals.
