Renata Zarazua from Mexico scores us open about the American Madison Keys
Renata Zarazua Shocks Madison Keys in First Round Upset at US Open
In a surprising turn of events at the US Open on Monday, Madison Keys, the sixth-ranked player in the tournament, was ousted in the first round by 82nd ranked Renata Zarazua from Mexico. Keys, who had won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, struggled throughout the match, committing 89 unforced errors, including 14 double faults.
“I felt like I was just sluggish. I wasn’t seeing things the way I wanted to, which led to a lot of bad decisions and lazy footwork,” Keys said after the match.
Despite her nerves, Zarazua remained composed and capitalized on Keys’ errors to secure the biggest win of her career. The Mexican player, who had never advanced past the first or second round of a Grand Slam event before, showed remarkable poise on the court, even in the face of a formidable opponent like Keys.
Zarazua’s victory was especially significant considering her lack of experience playing on the big stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Standing at just 5-foot-3, she admitted feeling overwhelmed by the size of the venue, which can hold nearly 24,000 spectators.
The match lasted over three hours, with Zarazua displaying resilience and determination to overcome deficits in both sets. Keys acknowledged her opponent’s tenacity, praising Zarazua for her ability to keep the ball in play and make it a challenging contest.
While Keys was one of 25 American players in the women’s draw, Zarazua was the sole representative from Mexico. The 27-year-old, who now resides in Florida, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level and make a name for herself in a sport that is not as popular in her home country.
In other matches on Monday, Brazilian teenager João Fonseca celebrated his US Open debut with a win, while Canadian prospect Vicky Mboko fell to two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova played her final match before retirement, and former US Open semi-finalist Caroline Garcia also bid farewell to the tournament.
As the action continues at the US Open, fans can look forward to exciting matchups on Tuesday, including Grand Slam champions Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Jannik Sinner. Gauff, who recently started working with biomechanics coach Gavin Macmillan to improve her serve, will face Ajla Tomljanovic in her first-round match.
Stay tuned for more thrilling tennis action at the US Open as the competition heats up and new stars emerge on the court.
