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Keys in way of Pliskova's third Bris crown

3 minute read

Karolina Pliskova and Madison Keys will meet for the first time in their careers in Sunday's Brisbane International final.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

They've avoided each other for years, but Madison Keys and Karolina Pliskova will finally meet with a title on the line in Brisbane.

Both came from behind to win their Brisbane International semi-finals.

Defending champion Pliskova saved a match point to oust Naomi Osaka, and Keys took Petra Kvitova's scalp despite being a set and a break down.

World No.2 Pliskova played her first WTA main draw match in 2007, while Keys followed her onto the tour two years later.

But Pat Rafter Arena will be neutral ground for the first match-up on Sunday as Pliskova guns for her third title in the city in the last four years.

"She's the last top player I've never played, so that's surprising to me as well," the big-serving Czech said.

"It's great that there's still someone I didn't face."

Keys will come with a familiar game though, Pliskova comparing her powerful approach to Osaka's when predicting another contest in which she will have to weather the storm.

"She's playing very aggressive ... so I just need to stay in there and wait for my chances," she said.

Keys beat Samantha Stosur for the first time in four attempts and edged ahead 4-3 in her head-to-head battle with Kvitova thanks to this week's win.

"It's always great to be able to come out from those matches and not only just for this tournament, but just to be able to have a lot of great matches right off the start going into the new season," she said.

Countering the Czech's serve will be key though, with Pliskova plundering 15 aces and making 68.5 per cent of first serves to beat Osaka.

"Karolina's has been No.1 in the world, she's the ace queen, so there's a lot of challenge," Keys said.

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