Melbourne: Defending champion Madison Keys endured a tense and unfamiliar opening challenge before steadying herself to defeat debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (6), 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Playing her 50th Grand Slam match and her first as a reigning major champion, the ninth seed found herself under immediate pressure on Rod Laver Arena. Keys trailed 4-0 in the opening set as Oliynykova’s unconventional shot-making — heavy moon balls, sharp slices and relentless defense — disrupted the American’s rhythm.
The Ukrainian, featuring in her first Grand Slam main draw, carried that momentum into the tiebreaker, racing to a 4-0 lead and earning two set points. But the experience of Keys told at the crucial moment, as she clawed her way back to steal the breaker and, with it, the momentum of the match.
“Obviously I was very nervous at the start,” Keys admitted. “As nervous as I was, I’m really glad to be back and that I got through that match.”
Once the first set was secured, the defending champion began to assert her power and depth, breaking early in the second set and pulling away to seal victory in just over two hours. The win ensured Keys avoided becoming the first defending women’s champion to lose in the opening round in more than two decades.
Keys was generous in her praise for Oliynykova, who received a warm ovation, signed autographs and waved a Ukrainian flag after the match.
“My opponent today was incredible,” Keys said. “She started so well. Such a great competitor. She definitely made it tricky for me.”
Ranked 92nd, Oliynykova acknowledged that her “weird” and unconventional style has often drawn skepticism but believes it can still take her far.
“I’ve been told many times I wouldn’t progress with this game style,” she said. “But today showed that even for one of the best players in the world, it can be really uncomfortable.”
Other results
Elsewhere on day three, there were early shocks in the women’s draw. Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen upset 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (1), while Czech teenager Tereza Valentova knocked out Australia’s top-ranked woman, 30th seed Maya Joint, 6-4, 6-4.
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens also bowed out in the first round, falling 7-6 (7), 6-2 to Karolina Pliskova.
For Keys, however, the focus remains firmly on settling into life as a defending champion — a challenge she has now survived once, if not without a scare.
Sinner Begins AO Title Defence
Meanwhile, defending men’s Australian Open champion and second seed Jannik Sinner also begins his title defence on Tuesday night, taking on French world No. 93 Hugo Gaston in the opening match of the Rod Laver Arena night session.
Source:ESPN, AO
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