ANGELIQUE KERBER turned defence into attack to thrash Madison Keys.
Kerber is partying like it’s 2016, turning back the clock to when she won her first Grand Slam title here in Melbourne.
The former world No 1, who won 6-1 6-2, in just 51 minutes to reach the semi finals, said: “Madison is a hard hitter, and she served good. So I was trying to playing from the first point aggressive and moving good and also bringing a lot of balls back.
“This is, you know, my basic, moving good, bringing a lot of balls back.
“But on the other side, being also aggressive and taking the game in my hand and just going from the first point, from the return, just going for it.
“I’m feeling the ball really good, and I was enjoying the match. I was going out there and trying to playing my tennis again.
“Yeah, it was a good feeling again.
“I will never forget the memories I had in 2016 here, so that’s why I feel so good.
“And I know all the places in Melbourne where I can go for, let’s say, a coffee or just when I have a day off.
“This gives me a lot of confidence to be here and playing my best.”
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Keys, the eventual runner-up, was the only one of the four US Open semi-finalists to make it out of the first round.
The No 17 seed had not dropped a set on her way to the last eight, but came completely unstuck against Kerber.
Keys matched her opponent with 13 winners, but made 25 unforced errors to the German’s seven.
Keys said: “She obviously is amazing at getting lots of balls back and makes you feel like you have to go for bigger shots than you would against other players, because she’s going to get two, three more balls.
“I think she definitely played one of the more aggressive, probably more aggressive than any other time that we have played each other.
“I mean, she was coming forward. She was hitting winners. I really didn’t have an answer for anything today.”
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