Defending champion Madison Keys moved into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday with a 6-1 7-5 victory over fellow American Ashlyn Krueger, rallying from a second-set deficit to seal the win.
The ninth seed dominated the opening set but was tested in the second as world number 62 Krueger surged to a 5-2 lead and earned a set point. Keys responded with a strong comeback, winning five consecutive games to close out the match in one hour and 13 minutes.
“I started really well and I think Ashlyn started a little bit slow,” Keys said. “Once I got that momentum, I tried to sink my teeth into the set and do whatever I could to get back into it.”
Earlier, sixth seed Jessica Pegula also progressed after easing past her doubles partner McCartney Kessler 6-0 6-2 in another all-American second-round match at Rod Laver Arena.
Pegula raced through the first set before Kessler took a medical timeout early in the second. Although the break briefly disrupted Pegula’s rhythm, she regained control to finish the match in 58 minutes.
“She’s such a good competitor, so I knew she was going to find a way to start playing better,” Pegula said. “It’s always tough playing someone you know well, but it was all good.”
Both Keys and Pegula will play for places in the fourth round later this week.
(IANS)
