Keys, Kerber Set for Fantastic Final Sunday

It’s been a week of unexpectedly outstanding tennis from Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber, and Sunday they’ll meet in the Volvo Car Open final for a chance at the trophy.

It marks the second time in less than a year that these two top 20 players have met in a WTA final, Keys defeating Kerber in a three-set thriller last June in Eastbourne.

MORE: Saturday Wrap-Up | Order of Play | Draws | Tickets

That final was on grass, a surface in which Keys’ game matches up well with. Clay is a surface she has struggled on in her young career, but the 20-year-old American has found her form this week on Daniel Island, losing just 14 games in four matches en route to the final.

Kerber, the No. 5 seed here and a two-time Grand Slam finalist has been in a slump as of late, losing as many matches as she’s won in 2015.

But both players have brought out their best in Charleston this week and will meet for just the fourth time, Kerber holding a 2-1 edge. It was the German who defeated her countrywoman Andrea Petkovic, the defending champion, Saturday afternoon, setting up the clash with the young American that promises to delight.

“Angelique is obviously a great player,” said Keys, who was a Grand Slam semifinalist for the first time in her career at the Australian Open earlier this year. “No matter what, it’ll be a tough match, but at the end of the day I’m more concerned about myself. I’ve been really happy with what I’ve been doing, and (Sunday), win or lose, if I can walk off the court and think, ‘You know, I’ve improved,’ then that’s a good day.”

Kerber will hope for a good day for herself, as well.

“I think Madison (has) played very well this week, and she played very hard, and she’s very aggressive,” added Kerber. “So I will just go out and try to play my game, actually try to focusing just on myself and enjoy the final. I (have also) played very well this week, so I’m just trying to keep going.”

Headlines can be made out of the doubles final, as well, which features top seeds Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza going up against Casey Dellacqua and Darija Jurak. Hingis’ return to the Cup is her first since 2001, and the former world No. 1 in singles and doubles is a match away from helping her teammate, Mirza, achieve that coveted ranking. The duo, which joined forces last month, have won two consecutive tournament, capturing 13 matches in a row.