WHAT HAPPENED: 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys gave a sizeable crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium lots to cheer for in her opening match against Arantxa Rus on Tuesday, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
While the scoreline may look straightforward on paper, the match was a tussle in key moments in the pair's second all-time meeting.
The first set was very straightforward for Keys who served incredibly well, getting 79% of her first serves in play. With her power and variety, she was able to fend off all three break points Rus created—the only chances the Dutchwoman had in the match. Although there were a few competitive points and games throughout the set, the American's base level was higher than that of Rus', and she was firing on all cylinders to clinch it after little more than a half hour.
The second set proved to be a lot more competitive as Rus raised her level. Coming into New York, the Dutchwoman was riding a five-match win streak at the tour level after winning her first WTA title on clay in Hamburg, and recently earning a career-high ranking of No. 41.
The confidence in her game showed as the 32-year-old left-hander responded with a few powerful groundstrokes and flair of her own, as she stuck with Keys in the early games. Rus saved seven of the eight break points she faced in the second set, but after dropping serve on the fifth such chance for Keys at 2-2, one break was all Keys needed to stay ahead and seal the match.
"The last time I played [her], [it was] a really close first set, so I knew I needed to get off to a really good start,” Keys said in her post-match press conference. “I think breaking twice early in the first set helped me kind of relax and get into the match.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Keys is now 37-5 in her first-round matches at majors, and moves to 27-11 all-time at the US Open. This win comes after a very strong summer for the 28-year-old. After title in Eastbourne and her quarterfinal result at Wimbledon earlier this year, the American is looking to recapture the magic that aided her run to the US Open finals in 2017.
Keys will face lucky loser Yanina Wickmayer next in Round 2 and could set up a Round 3 match with No. 14 seed Liudmila Samsonova.
“I feel like lucky losers are always the most dangerous people to have to play in the draw so, I will be making sure to do some scouting and see what she’s been doing well.” Keys said. “I think more than anything is to focus on my side of the court and take care of that.”
MATCH POINT: Today’s win is Keys' fourth win over a left-handed player this year, and she is now 2-0 in her all-time head-to-head with Rus.
