Keys crumbles to shock US Open first-round loss

Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion, was humiliated by Renata Zarazua from Mexico in the first round of the US Open, making up for her error-filled performance.

In a 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 defeat, the sixth seed’s first home major as a Grand Slam champion did not go as planned.

Keys made 37 unforced errors in just the first set, but the world champions did so after world number 82 Zarazua wasted five set points.

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

The underdog only needed one set point, but Keys’ 13th double fault of the day gave Zarazua three before the set was broken when she was able to bring the set to a tie-break.

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

The eighth game saw Zarazua break before Keys and Zarazua broke, but the decision-making set continued.

Keys, 30, would have been aiming for a long run after her first major in Melbourne at the beginning of the year.

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.