2025 has been a banner year for Madison Keys, the American tennis marvel. Despite only participating in four tournaments so far, Keys has already amassed an impressive 2,944 ranking points, surpassing her total from any of the previous five full seasons. A win at the Miami Open would see her break her own 2018 record of 2,976 points. However, the journey isn’t going to be easy as she’s up against Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan in her first match. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Keys can bounce back from her disappointing exit at Indian Wells and hit the ground running in Miami.
Already, Keys has two title triumphs under her belt this season. Her first victory was at Adelaide, following which she clinched a career-defining win against world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in the 2025 Australian Open final. The tables turned at the Indian Wells Open, where Sabalenka defeated Keys with a crushing 6-0,6-1 scoreline in the semi-finals. Reflecting on the match, Keys confessed that the loss was a source of immense frustration, but she’s now gearing up for a strong start at the Miami Open.
Her challenger, Elina Avanesyan, has also been putting up a strong performance this season. Avanesyan advanced to the semi-finals in both Hobart and Merida, but her journey at Indian Wells was cut short. Her stint in Miami got off to a promising start, securing a victory against Russia’s Erika Andreeva with a 6-1,6(4)-7,6-4 score in the first round.
Interestingly, Keys and Avanesyan have never faced each other on the court before, making their head-to-head record a clean slate. However, the prediction for the upcoming match leans in favor of Keys, who is expected to defeat Avanesyan in straight sets.
Keys, currently ranked fifth, is in a formidable shape this season, boasting an 18-2 win-loss record. Avanesyan, on the other hand, has an 11-8 record and holds the 36th spot. Moreover, Keys has a history of performing well at this tournament, having reached the quarterfinals in 2016. She is likely to excel on this familiar turf, especially with the support of her home crowd.
The playing styles of the two players offer further insight into the potential outcomes of the match. Avanesyan, known for her robust counterpunching and excellent footwork, thrives in long rallies. However, she may struggle against aggressive players and lacks the power to easily overpower her opponents. Her high count of double faults – 47 this season, against just 17 aces – is another significant concern.
Keys, in contrast, plays an aggressive game marked by powerful forehands and serves and is adept at dominating from the baseline. Her big first serve and preference for dictating the rallies from the baseline make this surface a perfect fit for her game.
Taking into account all these factors, and her stellar form, Keys is not just a favorite for this match, but also a strong contender for the title in Miami.
