Adelaide International: US world No. 20 Madison Keys cruises into final with win over Russian Liudmila Samsonova

American world No.20 Madison Keys is eyeing her second Adelaide International title in three years, after cruising into the final with a walkover win over Russian Liudmila Samsonova.

In-form American world No. 20 Madison Keys has credited her off-season preparation as she aims for a second Adelaide International title in three years.

The 29-year-old moved through to the final with a 5-7, 7-5, 3-0 walkover win over Russian Liudmila Samsonova at Memorial Drive on Friday.

Keys was broken early in the first set but would eventually bounce back in the second, turning up the heat on her world No. 27 opponent with strong returns and baseline play.

Samsanova would have no answer for the remainder of the match as Keys fired up on serve and hit a number of explosive forehand winners.

The 26-year-old Russian had taken a lengthy medical time-out after the first set to strap both feet and played through the second set but would eventually make the decision to retire after going down 0-3 to a powerful Keys in the third.

Madison Keys has cruised into the Adelaide International final with a win over Liudmila Samsonova. Picture: Getty Images

“I think I’m playing really well,” Keys said after the win.

“We worked on a lot of different things in the off-season and my goal has been to put those things into matches when it matters.

“I’ve been able to do that so far this season.”

Keys, who also defeated defending champion Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 and number three seed Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals, has experienced a number of successes in Australia on top of her 2022 Adelaide International triumph including two Australian Open semi finals in 2015 and 2022.

She said Australia was one of her favourite locations to play on the tour.

Samsonova broke Keys early, but struggled to keep up and eventually make the decision to retire. Picture: AFP

“I think it’s always unique because we’re actually coming from time off and we’re fresh but I enjoy it here and typically the courts are really fast which I like.

“I’ve always felt really great playing in Australia and being able to have as much success as I have had here, I just feel comfortable.”

Keys will face either close friend and fellow American Jessica Pegula, the competition’s first seed, or Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva in the final.

“Obviously Jess and I are quite close so that would be really fun but they’re both incredibly tough opponents in different ways,” Keys said.

“Yulia is such a fighter and thrives on making opponents uncomfortable while Jess is the greatest ball striker I’ve ever seen and has had a phenomenal last few years.

“Both are a big challenge.”

Originally published as Adelaide International: US world No. 20 Madison Keys cruises into final with win over Russian Liudmila Samsonova