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Keys Tames Nerves to Beat Korneeva in US Open First Round
Keys steadied her serve after early nerves and improved to nearly 70% in the second set to reach the second round.
On Tuesday, American Madison Keys defeated Russian Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to the second round.
The victory allows Keys to exorcise memories of her first-round exit at Flushing Meadows last year, when debilitating nerves overcame her during the tournament.
"It's so hard to play the first round of a Grand Slam," Keys said, as she improved her first-serve percentage from 48 per cent to nearly 70 per cent.
Following a competitive second set, Keys broke her opponent on her third set point with a backhand strike, despite Korneeva's challenge during a net exchange.
Looking ahead to the second round, Keys will next face either Czech Lucie Havlickova or Hungarian Anna Bondar, building on her 2025 Australian Open title.