Publications
Partners
Rio - Madison Keys advanced to the semi-finals of the women's singles at the Rio Olympic Games on Thursday to keep her gold medal dreams alive.
The American made short work of Daria Kasatkina of Russia, needing just 54 minutes on the courts of the Olympic Tennis Centre to earn a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The seventh seed completely overpowered her opponent from the start, with a double break seeing her go 5-0 up in the opening set.
While Kasatkina would break back once, Keys fought off two break points and took the set.
The wheels fell off for Kasatkina in the second set, as she notched up seven unforced errors while Keys steamrolled her in just 23 minutes to move into the semi-finals.
Standing between Keys and the final, however, is reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber.
The German made light work of Great Britain' Johanna Konta in the day's final match, racing to a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 66 minutes.
Elsewhere, 11th seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic eased past Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-0.
The win books her a place in the final four where she will face surprise package Monica Puig of Puerto Rico, who defeated Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-1, 6-1 in 75 minutes.
