The WTA Finals is a stage for tension and precision. Eight players are giving it everything they’ve got to be the last one standing after ten months of non-stop tournaments filled with highs and lows. The trophy, along with 1500 ranking points, makes it all the more valuable. At this point, three top Americans are still in the mix for the title: Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Jessica Pegula. Madison Keys has been eliminated after two losses, but is nonetheless taking some serious precaution as she wraps up her clash with Anisimova in the round-robin.

On Monday, Keys gave it her best shot against Anisimova in her second match of the WTA Finals. Desptie her best efforts though, she lost to Anisimova in 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in one hour, 43 minutes. But that wasn’t the highlight as the World No. 7 made a special request. As journalist Jose Morgado reported on x, ” Keys asks to not handshake Anisimova. She probably got some sort of virus. Won’t be surprising to see Andreeva play the dead rubber vs. Rybakina in two days…”

Apparently, Madison Keys wasn’t feeling her best, with sources suggesting she was dealing with an illness and didn’t want to risk passing it on, even gesturing toward her chest and stomach. Anisimova seemed to brush the moment off with a laugh, and after a quick chat at the net, both players simply walked back to their sides. Madison Keys, meanwhile, also skipped the usual post-match handshake with the umpire.

All’s well that ends well, right? The WTA Finals move on, even after some laughs and chaos. Even Madison Keys had been supportive of the 24-year-old before their clash. She opened up about her own struggles with her resurgence at major tournaments this year, at her pre-tournament press conference, couldn’t help but praise the poise and dignity Anisimova has shown. “I think the biggest thing I’ve been most impressed with this whole year of hers, her entire comeback, is the way that she handled the Wimbledon final. I thought she did it with such grace, she handled it so well,” Keys said.

The two have always maintained mutual respect. This match marked their first meeting, and while Anisimova walked away the victor, she had nothing but praise for the 30 year old pro.

Anisimova speaks about sharing the court with Madison Keys

In their first-ever high-stakes clash, the fight was intense right from the start. Keys took the opening set, but the 24-year-old Anisimova staged a stunning comeback in the second and sealed it in the third. After the match, she had to tip her hat to the 2025 Australian Open champ.

When asked about her turnaround, she said, “Yeah, I feel like every time I come out here my opponent’s like playing some crazy tennis. So, yeah, it’s been a difficult few matches and today for sure Maddie was playing so well and it was quite a battle out there and yeah, just really happy with the way I was able to turn around in the second set and kind of turn that frown upside down.”

On one hand, for Anisimova this clash gave flashbacks from her match against Rybakina. She broke serve early but struggled against Keys in the first four games, after which no one managed to hold serve. Then Keys’ consistency shone through, winning 73 percent of first-serve points, helping her clinch the first set.

With a second break-to-hold, Madison Keys seemed in control, while Anisimova let frustration show on court. Yet, after trailing 1-3, she marked six winners and five straight game wins turned the tables. In the final set, Keys tried to halt the momentum, but two breaks in three games put her under pressure. Anisimova served strongly and minimized errors. On her second match point, a fierce serve ended it, delivering a hard-fought victory.

Now, Amanda’s semifinal fate hinges on the next match against 2023 WTA Finals champ Iga Swiatek. Meanwhile, Keys faces Rybakina, who already secured her semifinals spot after wins over the Pole and the Anisimova. Who will make the most their last group match? Share your thoughts!