UPDATE 3.30pm: Her game has earned high praise from the likes of Maria Sharapova and after her first round showing at the Brisbane International, it’s easy to understand why.
Keys took a set off Sharapova at the Cincinnati Masters in August last year leaving the five-time Grand Slam winner in awe of the 19-year-old’s serve.
“I’m sure when she develops the consistency … it’s going to be an important factor,” Sharapova said at the time.
“But to have the strength and power to be able to do that is great.”
Keys’ serving prowess – and general power off both forehand and backhand wings – was on full display on Pat Rafter Arena on Monday morning.
She blasted 12 aces for the match on her way to claiming the impressive scalp of world No.11 and Brisbane International sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets 7-5 6-2.
“I definitely served well; returned pretty well for the most part,” she said.
“There are a couple things I want to work on, but overall it was a good start to the year.”
As the youngest woman in the top 100, Keys pulled out her crushing weapon when she needed it most, serving out both sets with composure beyond her years.
The win takes Keys’ career head-to-head record against Cibulkoba, last year’s Australian Open finalist, to 3-nil.
“I think it’s just one of those things where just kind of matches up a certain way,” she said.
“I definitely usually play my best against her since she’s such a great player, so I always go in knowing she’s going to get a tonne of balls back and I’m going to have to play my absolute best.”
Keys struck the crucial break to go ahead 6-5 before showing composure beyond her years to close out the set.
She hit two unreturnable serves in the deuce court, which included an ace down the T for set point.
Keys claimed an early break in the second but Cibulkova rallied to level at 2-all.
But the Florida resident continued the onslaught, breaking back for 3-2 and sending down the big first punch for a two-game lead.
Pouncing on anything short and getting the ball deep in the court, Keys secured the double break and wrapped it up in clinical fashion with an ace down the middle.
Her next opponent is American Varvara Lepchenko, who came back from a 5-1 deficit to upset local favourite Samantha Stosur on Sunday night.