‘Nerves got to me’ – Keys crumbles to shock US Open first-round loss

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

After falling to world number 82 Renata Zarazua in the US Open first round, Australian Open champion Madison Keys claims nerves “for the first time in a while.”

In a 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 defeat by the Mexican, sixth seed Keys, who was competing in New York for the first time since becoming a Grand Slam champion, put in an error-strewn performance.

The American only managed to save four of her ten break points, which included 89 unforced errors and 14 double faults.

For the first time in a while, I feel like my nerves really got in the way of me, which kind of made me paralyzed.

Keys won her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne by defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

However, the 30-year-old was knocked out of the French Open by 37-year-old Laura Siegemund in a surprise third-round exit.

Keys made 37 unforced errors in the first set alone in New York, but Zarazua’s five set points helped to earn the game’s tie-break.

Keys took a 3-0 lead in the next set, but the 2017 runner-up in New York then lost four games in a row.

She was able to bring the set to a tie-break, but Zarazua was able to force a decision through errors and double faults.

The American’s play remained erratic despite Keys’ coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo’s constant guidance and support.

“I want to win, but I just felt like it was way too important.” Keys continued, “I just couldn’t quite separate myself from that.”

“It kind of becomes snowballs once you start playing poorly.”

I thought I was just slow because I wasn’t seeing things the way I wanted to, which I believe caused many poor decisions and lazy footwork.

After falling 6-3, 6-2 to 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, Victoria Mboko’s fairytale 2025 did not have the perfect ending.

The 18-year-old defeated four Grand Slam winners earlier this month to claim the Canadian Open, which puts her in the 23rd place in the world after starting the year in 333rd.

However, her inconsistent behavior cost her at Louis Armstrong Stadium as the teenager struggled on second serve and committed 10 double errors.

After falling to 62nd in the rankings during a year of injuries, Krejcikova now appeared much like her former self.

Elena Rybakina, the ninth seed, delivered a harsh lesson to Julieta Pareja, who is currently playing in the Grand Slam for the first time, winning 6-3, 6-0 in one hour and two minutes.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion, who had previously hoped to advance past the US Open third round, held her own in the opening round, but the world junior number one quickly lost.

American Pareja qualified for the semi-finals of her WTA debut and won the tournament’s wildcard spot, finishing second in both the singles and doubles at this year’s Wimbledon juniors competition.

With a 6-0, 6-1 victory over American Alycia Parks, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva slipped into round two.

The 18-year-old Russian won in just 55 minutes after missing just one match due to an ankle injury since Wimbledon.