Melbourne: The legendary Williams sisters on Wednesday predicted a big future for American teenager Madison Keys, including Grand Slam titles, after she gatecrashed the Australian Open semi-finals at Venus` expense.
The 19-year-old has long been on the radar of US pundits desperate for a new generation to emerge from the Williams siblings` long shadow and Keys lived up to the hype when she beat Venus in the quarters at Melbourne Park.
Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Serena, who will meet Keys in Thursday`s semi-final, said she believed the world number 35 was a future major winner.
She said having Lindsay Davenport as her coach was a big asset for Keys, who hired the former Grand Slam winner late last year.
"Lindsay and Madison have done really well together," she said.
"Obviously, this is her first semi-finals. I`m sure there`s going to be many more, including Grand Slam wins, for Madison. It`s a good match and I think they really just make a good team. Really, nice, easygoing people.
"It`s also great for me and Venus because we know that finally there`s other Americans that are constantly playing well and playing better, showing that they want to be the world`s greatest," she added.
Venus, who was a childhood idol of Keys` when she as growing up in Rock Island, Illinois, said "the sky`s the limit" on the teenager`s future.
"You have to give credit where credit is due. She played really well. This is her moment today," she said.
