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 night time inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, marking the sixth time Keys has didn’t make it previous the third spherical of the match since her debut in 2011.
“Initially, I wanna say we each had a terrific match,” Mertens stated throughout her post-match interview on the court docket. “Credit score to Madison. She’s unbelievable. Thanks everybody for popping out tonight. It was an incredible environment. I simply stored preventing. I had these set factors within the first set, however that’s tennis. I’m very comfortable I can keep one other day in New York.”
In her fifth assembly in opposition to Mertens, who triumphed for the primary time of their earlier match in Cincinnati final yr, Keys hit an egregious 69 unforced errors.
Mertens, however, received 124 complete 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 achieve 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 seemed 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 best way 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, received 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 night time.
Despite the fact that 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 received’t have one other crowd wherever else like this,” Mertens stated. “It’s considered one of my favourite tournaments. It’s such a pleasant place to be. I simply love New York.”
