Madison Keys’ U.S. Open run has ended early as soon as once more.
The No. 14-seeded American was upset by Belgium’s Elise Mertens, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, Friday evening inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, marking the sixth time Keys has did not make it previous the third spherical of the event since her debut in 2011.
“First of all, I wanna say we both had a great match,” Mertens stated throughout her post-match interview on the court docket. “Credit to Madison. She’s incredible. Thanks everyone for coming out tonight. It was an amazing atmosphere. I just kept fighting. I had those set points in the first set, but that’s tennis. I’m very happy I can stay another day in New York.”
In her fifth assembly towards Mertens, who triumphed for the primary time of their earlier match in Cincinnati final 12 months, Keys hit an egregious 69 unforced errors.
Mertens, alternatively, gained 124 whole factors.
Every participant took a set, leaving the third — and the win — up for grabs.
Keys had a mess of alternatives to take it for herself, however she couldn’t fairly acquire management of the ultimate body.
After powering to a 3-2 lead, Keys took a medical timeout to have a coach come and deal with what gave the impression to be a blister on her heel.
Her ankle was finally taped up and play resumed.
The 29-year-old then went up 40-0 within the following sport, however misplaced the subsequent 10 straight factors on the way in which to falling right into a 5-3 gap.
Mertens, who additionally took a medical timeout within the first set after coping with a pinched nerve in her left leg earlier than coming to New York, gained six of the subsequent 11 factors to win the match.
The unforced errors are what actually bit Keys, who hadn’t dropped a set till Friday evening.
Though Mertens dedicated 10 double-faults, Keys wasn’t in a position to step up in her personal service sport.
Mertens will now play the winner of Aryna Sabalenka and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“You won’t have another crowd anywhere else like this,” Mertens stated. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments. It’s such a nice place to be. I just love New York.”
