2016 champion Kerber advances to Australian Open semifinals

Germany’s Angelique Kerber serves to United States’ Madison Keys during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

MELBOURNE, Australia — Angelique Kerber is through to the Australian Open semifinals after a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Madison Keys.

For Kerber, who kicked off her career-best season with her run to the title here two years ago, it was her first quarterfinal at a major since her victory in the 2016 U.S. Open.

The momentum was all one-way until Keys broke for the first time in the fifth game of the second set, but Kerber recovered quickly to finish off in 51 minutes.

Kerber has been the only major winner still in the women’s draw since her third-round win over Maria Sharapova.

Keys reached the U.S. Open final last September but lost in straight sets to Sloane Stephens.

Kerber’s semifinal opponent will be decided later Wednesday in a quarterfinal match between top-ranked Simona Halep and No. 6 Karolina Pliskova.