Ageless Venus set to face U.S. teen

— -- MELBOURNE, Australia -- Few tennis champions get the opportunity to play those they inspired.

But that is what Venus Williams will be doing when she goes up against teenager Madison Keys, who famously took up tennis because she liked what Williams was wearing and now looks more and more like the one who could step into Venus and younger sister  Serena's shoes.

When the two play each other in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, their second meeting on tour, Keys will be well aware of the impact the seven-time Grand Slam champion has had on the sport, from being a leading advocate for equal prize money at Wimbledon to playing on at 34 years old despite having the energy-sapping Sjogren's syndrome.

"Just watching her is inspirational," Keys said. "She's had her health battles. She loves tennis. She's still out here and she's doing it remarkably well. I think that's inspirational. However long, I hope I can be someone similar to that."

Keys has taken a big step on the court during this tournament, defeating Petra Kvitova in the third round to get to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Her big serving and powerful groundstrokes, especially on the forehand, already have her dubbed as one of the tour's most touted prospects. Keys, though, has a tendency to be impatient and erratic. However, her game now looks like it is coming together, helped by the coaching of former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport.

"I think it's just more I'm finally kind of understanding it and really knowing when I have it, but also the confidence of being able to stay in points and know if I can get to this ball, I can get to another ball," Keys said. "I think with Lindsay it's been a big thing for my confidence, knowing that I can do well, play well. So for that, going into matches knowing I have a chance in every match has definitely helped me, has definitely helped me get through this tournament."

It was Venus who reached the quarterfinal as an 18-year-old in her first appearance at the Australian Open and wanted to win it all. Now, more quietly, Keys can potentially see herself also lifting the trophy. "I think if I play right and I do what I'm supposed to do, I definitely think I can be a contender for it," she said. But despite saying how much she values inspiring others, Venus is not ready to step aside for her protégés just yet. It is Venus' first Grand Slam quarterfinal since she announced her health condition, and she has not won a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2008. But she has stayed committed to being a contender again. Venus has learned to better manage her physical state and looks significantly more muscular this season. Having returned to the top 20 the previous season, she does not want to stop there.

"I'm just really focused and poised right now," Venus said. "I feel like I've been here before, so it's not like I'm jumping up and down for joy. Yes, I've done this. This is what I'm always going into each tournament thinking I want to do."

During the match, she will not only be taking on a new rival, but an old one. She and Davenport, once opponents, will resume their competition with Davenport in the coach's box. Venus, however, is happy to still be playing and warned her former competitor she is not the same player as when they met on court.

"I used to play Lindsay as well. I feel like I'm continually evolving, adding things to my game," Venus said.

So when experience meets youthful exuberance, age will not count, insists Venus.

"If you're here and you're playing this deep, it means that you've done the work and you're fit," she said. "So whatever age, doesn't matter what age you are, you got to go to the gym. You got to do the work on the court."

It might be a meeting of generations in American women's tennis, but both players are very much in the present.