Madison Keys does something for the first time in 10 years after reaching the Indian Wells quarter-finals

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Madison Keys booked her spot in the Indian Wells quarter-finals but she had to do it the hard way.

The Australian Open champion entered the round of 16 contest in California looking to keep her win streak intact.

She took on the dangerous Donna Vekic, who on her day is a handful for the world’s best players and she proved that against Keys.

The Olympic silver medalist took the first set and applied plenty of pressure on Keys, but the American’s newfound resilience shone through and she raised her level when she needed to most.

Madison Keys matches Serena Williams feat after reaching Indian Wells quarter-finals

Madison Keys has now won her last 15 matches, but her most recent victory was one of the most difficult.

The 30-year-old was broken twice by Vekic in the opening set and the Croatian soon found herself in the lead.

Despite being as little as two points away from losing, Keys then won a tense second set tiebreak to level the match.

The World number five carried this momentum into the decider and surged into a 5-2 lead. Vekic broke serve but Keys broke straight back in the following game to seal a 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 victory.

This win is Keys’ is the first player to win each of her first 10 matches that have gone to three sets in a season since Serena Williams in 2015.

That year the former World number won three Grand Slams titles that year in what was one of Williams’ most successful seasons.

Madison Keys reaches second career Indian Wells quarter-final

Keys has now reached at least the quarter-finals of every tournament she has entered this season.

The American has not had the best record at Indian Wells, having reached the last eight just once before this year.

But she has a strong chance of success at the California desert but she will need to raise her level against Belinda Bencic, who has been one of the most in-form players this year.

After returning from maternity leave, Bencic reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, won the Abu Dhabi title and she now has a chance to win her second WTA 1000 trophy and first in 10 years.

Keys and Bencic have played one another four times and have two wins apiece, who will take the lead in their rivalry and reach the Indian Wells semi-finals?