Amid upsets, Keys survives, advances

NEW YORK — Dickie V found a totally awesome PTP’er in the U.S Open’s women’s bracket.

His pick is on point — Madison Keys knows how to make a Final Four.

“Madison’s backhand is lethal !” Vitale tweeted Saturday from the Open. “Her physical skills r awesomebaby.”

Keys was one of the fortunate favorites in the Open, as she survived-andadvanced to the Sweet 16.

But much like Vitale would say in a March stuffed with busted brackets, the women’s side is filled with upset specials.

Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber was the latest single-digit seed eliminated, leaving none of this year’s Grand Slam winners left in the U.S. Open.

No. 29 seed Dominika Cibulkova rallied Saturday to beat the fourth-seeded Kerber 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, leaving only one of the top-four seeds on the women’s side in the tournament after three rounds.

Top-ranked Simona Halep, the French Open champion, was eliminated in the first round. Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 2 seed, fell in the second.

Only No. 3 seed and defending champion Sloane Stephens remains among the top-four seeds.

Just a quick scan of the bracket finds more.

Two-time Wimbledon champion and No. 5 seed Petra Kvitova is a big hitter, but she was overpowered by 26th-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, 6-1 on Saturday. Sixth-seeded Caroline Garcia and No. 13 seed Kiki Bertens were eliminated in three sets.

The early stunners seem to clear the field for No. 17 seed, oh, and six-time champion, Serena Williams to steamroll toward another title.

“She’s playing really good tennis,” Keys said.

Keys, the No. 14 seed, whiffed on an overhead, fought a case of first-set jitters and never found a groove with her backhand. She rallied after dropping the first set and the 2017 Open finalist beat Aleksandra Krunic 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.