Madison Keys secured a strong start at the Cincinnati Open by staging a comeback to defeat Eva Lys in a gripping match. The American, seeded sixth, triumphed 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(7-1) to reach the third round of this prestigious WTA 1000 event held this year in Cincinnati. Keys’ performance at the tournament follows her quarterfinal exit at the Canadian Open, where the competition has been fierce.
Withdrawals Shake Up the Cincinnati Open Field
Several notable players have decided to withdraw from the tournament, including Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko, who is a hometown favorite for the Cincinnati event. Naomi Osaka, runner-up in Montreal, has also chosen not to participate this year. Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka remains in contention and will face Emma Raducanu after advancing through her opening match. Keys’ next opponent will be qualifier Aoi Ito, who is ranked 94th globally and recently upset 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a hard-fought three-set match.
Keys Reflects on the Enthusiastic and Informed Cincinnati Crowd
Following her dramatic win over Lys, Keys spoke warmly about the Cincinnati Open fans, noting their enthusiasm and deep understanding of the sport. After receiving a first-round bye, Keys observed that the crowd presence at the tournament is consistently substantial and engaged.
“They’re very big tennis fans, and I feel like it’s such a great central location for a lot of Midwesterners to come. It’s always one of my favorite tournaments and I think the fans are a huge part of that.”
—Madison Keys, American tennis player
She emphasized that the tournament has a longstanding tradition, which likely contributes to the knowledgeable and passionate audience turnout year after year.
Assessing Her Form and Future at the Cincinnati Open
Keys, 30, highlighted her positive momentum as she competes in Cincinnati, citing the consistency she has found throughout the season. Over her career, she has accumulated 18 match wins at this event, making it one of her most successful tournaments, second only to Charleston where she has recorded 21 victories.
“So, I really just feel like I’m trekking along, one tournament after another. I’m looking forward to hopefully finishing the season on as good of a note as I started.”
—Madison Keys, American tennis player
These remarks reflect her hopeful and steady approach amidst a demanding tour schedule that has already included some of her best career wins. As she prepares to face Aoi Ito, Keys remains focused on maintaining her high level and capitalizing on the momentum gained from her Cincinnati Open win.