'Timid' Keys makes shaky start to Australian Open title defence
Defending champion Madison Keys survived a jittery start to her Australian Open title defense, rallying from an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (6), 6-1 in the first round on Tuesday.
The American ninth seed admitted to feeling the pressure of returning to Rod Laver Arena as the reigning champion, describing her initial play as "too timid." "I think at the start I just felt like I was playing just a little timid and not really trusting my first instinct," Keys said. "I was reacting instead of having a plan."
Keys, who stunned Aryna Sabalenka to win her maiden Grand Slam title here last year, began disastrously, dropping her first service game and quickly falling behind 4-0 against the world No. 92. She steadied herself to win five consecutive games, but needed to save two set points in a tense tiebreaker before sealing the opening set.
The comeback ignited her confidence, and she dominated the second set to close out the match in one hour and 40 minutes. "As nervous as I was at the start, I'm really glad to be back and to win that match," she added.
Keys, playing in her 50th Grand Slam, will now face the winner of the match between Olga Danilovic and Kamilla Rakhimova in the second round as she continues her quest to become the first woman to defend the Australian Open title since Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
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