Tennis: Keys claims Cincinnati title over Kuznetsova

Madison Keys poses for photographers after defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the women's final during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on Aug 18, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. PHOTO: AFP

CINCINNATI (REUTERS) - American Madison Keys overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova leads in both sets to defeat the Russian for the Cincinnati Masters title on Sunday (Aug 18).

The confidence-boosting 7-5 7-6(5) victory sent Keys into the US Open later this month as the world's number 10 ranked player, officials said.

"If you told me a week ago this is where I would be, I would have laughed in your face!" Keys said in accepting the tournament trophy.

In both sets, the 2017 US Open finalist trailed 5-3 before rallying to win.

Keys won four consecutive games to claim the opener. She needed a tiebreak to prevail in the second.

The triumph was the fourth in a row on hardcourts for the 16th-seeded Keys over Kuznetsova.

Keys delivered 13 aces and 45 winners against 29 unforced errors. Kuznetsova had just two aces and 15 winners.

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