MELBOURNE: Rising American teenager Madison Keys struck a blow for generation next when she defeated childhood idol Venus Williams on Wednesday to make the Australian Open semi-finals.
The unseeded 19-year-old overcame an injury scare to down the 18th seed in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 rollercoaster to set up a final four clash with the rampant top seed Serena Williams, out to avenge her sister's loss.
"The moment's definitely sweeter being able to play Venus," Keys said after defeating the 34-year-old seven-time Grand Slam winner she grew up watching in Rock Island, Illinois.
"It's amazing, obviously I was very nervous coming out but I had to embrace the moment and I did and I get to enjoy another moment in the next round."
The win is a rare moment of glory for the much-hyped new generation after rising stars such as Canadian Eugenie Bouchard and Spain's Garbine Muguruza were ousted by old stagers like Serena and Maria Sharapova.
Keys, who is coached by former Australian Open champion Lindsay Davenport, said she feared it would never happen when a thigh injury that ended her Wimbledon campaign last year flared up in the second set, forcing a lengthy medical time out.
"It was kind of an overwhelming moment. It was kind of scary," the world number 35 said, revealing she felt a moment of panic thinking the muscle could tear again.
"Luckily I was able to catch it before I did any real damage. Luckily the painkillers and adrenaline in the end kind of helped me get through it."
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