Madison Keys Eyes Adelaide Quarterfinals Amid Australian Open Defence
Adelaide, 15 January 2026 – Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, progressed to the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International after a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Tereza Valentova on Wednesday. The 30-year-old American, ranked ninth in the world, will face Canada’s Victoria Mboko in her next match, as she prepares for the defence of her maiden Grand Slam title starting later this month.
Recent Performance in Adelaide
Keys entered the WTA 500 event in Adelaide as the defending champion, having won the tournament in 2025 en route to her Australian Open triumph. She overcame early serve struggles in her second-round match against 18-year-old Valentova, committing seven double faults in the first set but rallying to dominate the second. The win extended her unbeaten record at the event, where she has now won twice in her career.
Following her Brisbane International quarterfinal loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, Keys used the Adelaide warmup to regain confidence. She converted five break points and improved her game as the match progressed, finishing with 66 points compared to Valentova’s 53. Keys expressed excitement about facing Mboko, noting the young Canadian’s impressive form, including a 20-match win streak prior to her WTA 1000 title in Canada last year.
Key Facts and Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Current WTA Ranking | 9 (with 4003 points) |
| Career High Ranking | 5 |
| 2026 Prize Money (Year-to-Date) | A$37,640 |
| Career Prize Money | A$23,325,195 |
| Adelaide Match Record | Unbeaten (2 wins) |
| Head-to-Head vs Mboko | First meeting |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Madison Keys’ form heading into the Australian Open?
Keys has a 2-1 record so far in 2026, with wins over Tereza Valentova and McCartney Kessler, but a loss to Aryna Sabalenka. She is focused on building momentum in Adelaide before the Grand Slam.
Who is Victoria Mboko, and what is her ranking?
Victoria Mboko is a 19-year-old Canadian player ranked 17th in the world. She has shown strong form, including winning the WTA 1000 title in Montreal last year.
How does Keys’ Australian Open defence look?
As the defending champion, Keys is seeded ninth and aims to repeat her 2025 success. She has reached the semifinals in Melbourne twice before winning the title last year.