IT WILL be an all American affair at the Adelaide International Women’s Final, after Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula emerged victorious from their respective semi finals.

In the first semi final, Keys and Liudmila Samsonova were at one set all and then Keys was three games to nil up in the final set before Samsonova had to retire from a match due to a knee injury.

Keys said that it was a combination of aggressive play and consistent tennis on court that helped her get the win.

“I’ve really been trying to balance going for things a little bit more while also still having a little bit of safety with a little more shape and slightly bigger targets,” she explained.

That combination saw Keys belt 12 aces past the Russian and only two double faults, compared to seven and six respectively from Samsonova.

Keys comes into the final with a history of success at the tournament, having taken out the 2022 title.

However, standing in her way this time is countrywoman and good friend Pegula, after the top seed defeated Yulia Putintseva in the other semi final 7-6, 6-3.

After a very tight first set, Pegula held her nerve while serving in the second, which ultimately helped her prevail and take the straight sets win. One of the most telling stats in that sets was the double faults, with the Kazakh serving four of them and the American only serving one of them.

“Even when I practise with her, she’ll throw out the underarm serve. I thought for sure that was coming at some point,” Pegula said, speaking of the challenge of playing the Kazakh. “I was on my toes, lots of drop shots. But you know, I was just trying to play my game.

ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL WTA RESULTS: JANUARY 10

Jessica Pegula (1) defeated Yulia Putintseva 7-6, 6-3

Madison Keys defeated Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 7-3, 3-0 [RET}