Madison Keys steadied the home-court nerves to defeat Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 in the US Open first round on a rain-hit Tuesday, while Eva Lys revived her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Czech qualifier Gabriela Knutson.
Key takeaways
- Keys struck 21 winners and converted six of her eight break opportunities in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- The American, playing her 15th US Open, avoided a repeat of last year’s first-round exit.
- Lys, ranked No. 98, beat world No. 184 Knutson 6-3, 6-3 on Court 6.
- The German has been rebuilding after injuries and six defeats in seven matches since June.
- Keys will meet Anna Bondar next, while Lys has drawn fifth seed Mirra Andreeva.
Keys comes through the opening-day tension
Rain made the outside courts unplayable during the morning session in New York, leaving Keys’ match as the only WTA contest under way. The former US Open finalist was determined to make a cleaner start than she managed a year ago, when Renata Zarazua overturned a set deficit to win 7-5 in the decider.
Keys did so with a composed 7-5, 6-4 result against Korneeva. Her aggressive ball-striking produced 21 winners, and she made efficient use of her chances on return, taking six of eight break points.
Even with the experience of 15 appearances in the New York main draw, Keys said the days before the first round can bring a shared strain around the locker room and practice courts. She recalled discussing it with Jessica Pegula, noting that the atmosphere changes as the tournament approaches: players become tighter, racquets can feel less secure, and the noise on practice courts increases.
“Everyone wants a good result, and that feeling spreads,” Keys said. “The waiting is difficult because you know the pressure and nerves are coming. It is absolutely something players feel.”
For Keys, who reached the championship match here in 2017, the reward is a second-round meeting with Bondar.
Lys finds room to enjoy competing again
Lys arrived with a different sort of pressure. The 24-year-old had climbed into the Top 40 during her breakthrough 2025 season, but injuries and a difficult run of results have left her at No. 98 in the PIF WTA Rankings. Before Tuesday, she had lost six of seven matches since June.
Against Knutson, she delivered the performance she needed, taking both sets 6-3 and equalling her best US Open showing. Her celebrations after each set reflected the importance of the win on a smaller Court 6, far removed from the spotlight surrounding Ashe Stadium.
Lys said expectations from both herself and others had become difficult to handle, particularly when people expected her to reproduce last season’s level without knowing what she had endured physically. She has recently worked with a psychologist after reaching a point at which competing no longer brought her enjoyment.
Her mental reset included a reminder in her phone: “Be gentle with yourself today.” Lys said she was nervous through both sets, but the important part was responding with patience rather than allowing the scoreline to control her emotions.
“This one meant a lot because the score was not the main thing,” Lys said. “I was very nervous in the first set and again in the second, but I kept supporting myself and showing myself kindness.”
Her next test comes against Andreeva, the fifth seed.
SEO title: Madison Keys wins US Open opener as Eva Lys ends difficult run
SEO description: Madison Keys beat Alina Korneeva in straight sets at the US Open, while Eva Lys defeated Gabriela Knutson to set up a meeting with fifth seed Mirra Andreeva.
