Madison Keys’ strong start to the new year continued at the Australian Open on Monday, with the American upsetting 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(2), 7-5 in the first round.
Keys recorded 31 winners, including 15 aces, to take down No. 11 seed. The victory was the 43rd of Keys’ WTA career and her sixth straight.
Second round unlocked 🔓
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2022
🇺🇸 @Madison_Keys knocks out the 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, 7-6(2) 7-5 to move on at Melbourne Park.
🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis#AO2022 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/B1qRoCb4KX
Keys, the former world No. 7, was coming off of a win Saturday at the Adelaide International tournament for her first WTA title since 2019. She now holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Kenin.
Kenin, the 23-year-old American, was the third top seed to fall Monday after Coco Gauff dropped her first-round match and Ons Jabeur withdrew from hers due to injury.
Keys, 26, will take on Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in the second round. Cristian defeated Greet Minnen 7-5, 6-4 on Monday.