Zarazua shocks Madison Keys at US Open 1st round

 

Sixth seed Madison Keys struggled to find any rhythm as her quest for a hard-court Grand Slam double went up in flames after a 6-7(10), 7-6(3), 7-5 defeat by unseeded Mexican Renata Zarazua in the first round of the US Open on Monday.

The 30-year-old American, who lifted her maiden Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open in January, made a staggering 89 unforced errors with 14 double faults and became the highest seed to exit the women's draw at the year's final major.

"I'm just very happy, obviously. Coming into the match, I was like almost crying because I was really nervous, but I think the crowd made it so chill for me... thank you guys, for staying," Zarazua said.

"I know my game is a bit tricky so sometimes people get a bit bored... We don't have many tennis players as you can see, but I had some Mexico players from doubles cheering for me. I could hear some Mexican cheering, so that was very nice."

Spurred on by the home crowd, Keys battled from 2-4 down in the opening set and clinched it in a tense tiebreak after saving five set points, and she let out a huge roar to loud cheers on a sunbathed Arthur Ashe Stadium.