American teenager Madison Keys will have her nerve tested when she takes on older player Melanie Oudin in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Center in California on Thursday.

18-year-old Keys has been pushing herself against higher rankings players this season with some considerable positive results. The young American made into the quarterfinals at the Apia International in Sydney earlier this year in January before losing to Chinese Li Na. Keys also made into the third round of the Australian Open before Angelique Kerber put down her courageous effort in the first Grand Slam event of the year.

With a powerful serve that often averages 100mph, Keys is also much noted for her powerful groundstrokes. Regarded as a player with much potential to rise to higher levels, Keys who has not won a single career title as of now stands at an impressive 10-4 in win loss record for this season. Ranked 77th in the world, Keys performance at the Indian Wells will determine how far she can improve her rankings in the neear future. Her next opponent who is a fellow American is older than her and has beaten her in their only meeting. Though ranked lower than Keys at 85th Oudin will have an psychological edge over her younger opponent when they meet in the opening round encounter of the $$5,185,625 tournament.

Oudin has one career title to her credit and is certainly placed at a favourable position to win the next match.

Oudin in two.