At the Cincinnati Open, American tennis players experienced mixed results as Tommy Paul made a strong comeback with a decisive win, while Madison Keys suffered an unexpected early exit. On his first hardcourt match of the North American summer, Paul defeated Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-2, whereas Keys was upset in her opening match by Germany’s Eva Lys in a three-set thriller.
Tommy Paul Returns Strong, Controls Match Against Pedro Martinez
Tommy Paul marked his return to competition with a convincing victory over Pedro Martinez at Cincinnati. After sitting out the Canadian Open and entering the tournament with modest results on grass—winning only one match and exiting early in both Eastbourne and Wimbledon—Paul reclaimed form on the hardcourt surface. The world No. 16 made an immediate impact by displaying sharpness on key points, saving several break points early in the match before seizing the initiative.
Paul earned the first break in the third game and successfully defended his own service games throughout the opening set, securing it 6-2 while facing four break points. His aggressive play translated to 19 winners, far outpacing Martinez’s six. In the second set, Martinez found some rhythm on serve, but Paul quickly broke at the start, maintaining composure to achieve a double break advantage. Despite some moments of pressure towards the end, Paul confirmed the 6-2, 6-2 win and moved on to the third round, where he will face qualifier Adrian Mannarino, who earlier pulled off a surprising win over Tomas Machac.
Unexpected Defeat: Madison Keys Falls to Eva Lys in Tough Encounter
Madison Keys entered Cincinnati with a strong season record of 35 wins and 11 losses, aiming to build on her recent performances that included a quarterfinal finish in Montreal. However, she encountered a challenging opponent in Eva Lys, a rising star with momentum from a three-set win over Bernarda Pera. Lys quickly established control, breaking Keys twice and winning the first set decisively, 6-1, bolstered by higher service effectiveness.
In the second set, Keys fought back, breaking Lys first and gaining a 4-1 lead. Despite losing her serve twice in quick succession, the American managed to close the set 6-3 after weathering some set point opportunities on her return. The match progressed to a decisive third set, where Lys surged ahead 3-0 early, taking advantage of strong serving and an initial break.
Keys responded by breaking back and winning five of the next six games to lead 5-4 with the chance to serve for the match. Nevertheless, the American could not convert her opportunity. Lys elevated her performance in the closing stages, earning two consecutive breaks and sealing the thrilling upset 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.
Match Insights and Significance for American Contenders
Tommy Paul’s commanding victory signals a promising hardcourt season ahead as he advances deeper into the Cincinnati tournament, demonstrating resilience after a challenging grass season and prolonged absence. His ability to hold serve under pressure and convert key break points will be crucial moving forward, especially facing competitors like Adrian Mannarino.
Conversely, Madison Keys’s early elimination represents a setback for the American star, who has struggled to find consistent form despite a solid season. Her missed chances in the critical moments against Lys highlight areas for improvement as she looks to rebound in upcoming events. This upset underscores the increasing threat from emerging talents like Lys, adding fresh dynamics to the women’s draw.
As the Cincinnati Open progresses, Paul’s form and Keys’s response to this loss will be closely watched by fans and analysts, shaping expectations for the remainder of the North American hardcourt swing.
“Paul took the set 6-2, saving up to four break points along the way and being much more aggressive than his opponent, with 19 winners to Martinez’s 6.” —Match Commentary
“Keys couldn’t capitalize on her chance, and Lys brought out her best tennis in the final part, getting two consecutive breaks and closing out the victory 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.” —Match Commentary