All-American quarter-final at the Open

Having taken up tennis at the tender age of four after watching Venus Williams on TV at Wimbledon, Madison Keys can confirm her status as the long-awaited rising star of the US game by sending her inspiration tumbling out of the Australian Open.

Keys, 19, will be spotting Williams 15 years of experience and seven grand slam titles on Wednesday.

But with another former American great in Lindsay Davenport in her corner, the teenager won’t be lacking for any insider knowledge.

Davenport can provide Keys with a wealth of knowledge on Williams’ game having played 27 matches against the former world No.1.

Davenport won 14 of those encounters, although Williams held a narrow 5-4 advantage in their nine meetings over an eight-year span at the majors.

“Lindsay (also) comments on so many matches, so I’m sure she knows everyone’s game and I’m sure that’s why Madison is playing so well,” said Williams.

“I think my game has changed a lot since I used to play Lindsay as well.

“I feel like I’m continually evolving, adding things to my game.

“I don’t think it’s the same report as it would have been at that time, however many years ago that was.”

Keys is determined not to let the opportunity to slip by in the last major tournament she will play as a teenager.

“But at the same time no matter what, I’m not really going to be satisfied with any win,” she said.

“I want to be at the end of the tournament holding the trophy up. That’s my goal.

“I am very happy that I’m in the quarter-finals and I’m really just looking forward to the next match.

“But if I play right and I do what I’m supposed to do, I definitely think I can be a contender for (the Open title).”

The elder Williams is excited to again be a genuine contender at the pointy end of the majors, having advanced to the last eight for the first time since being diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011.

As to her early influence on Keys’ blossoming career, that will be the last thing on Williams’ mind on Wednesday.

“All of us touch lives in ways that we never dreamed of, growing up as kids,” she said.

“You just want to be No.1 in the world. You want to win a major.

“You never think about the people you inspire from your efforts and your attitude.”

HOW VENUS WILLIAMS AND MADISON KEYS MATCH UP FOR THEIR AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER-FINAL CLASH AT MELBOURNE PARK ON WEDNESDAY:

18-VENUS WILLIAMS (USA) leads MADISON KEYS (USA) 1-0

2013 Charleston, clay, QF, Williams 6-4 6-4

VENUS WILLIAMS

Age: 34

Ranking: 18

Career-high ranking: 1 (2002)

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US30,246,596 ($A38.2 million)

Career titles: 46

Grand slam titles: 7 (Wimbledon 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008; US Open 2000, 2001)

Australian Open win-loss record: 45-14

Best Australian Open performance: semi-finalist 2001

MADISON KEYS

Age: 19

Ranking: 35

Career-high ranking: 27 (2014)

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US1,254,931 ($A1.58 million)

Career titles: 1

Grand slam titles: 0

Australian Open win-loss record: 7-3

Best Australian Open performance: quarter-finalist 2015

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