Australian Open champion Madison Keys hits 89 unforced errors, slumps out of US Open to Renata Zarazua

Madison Keys is out of the US Open after a shocking opening display as she was slumped out by Renata Zarazua after hitting 89 unforced errors in what was an epic but for all the wrong reasons for the Australian Open champion. She is out 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 in favour of the Mexican.

In what was on paper the homecoming as Keys was followed at the US Open by her close friend Frances Tiafoe returning after becoming a Grand Slam champion promptly turned into a nightmare as Keys won the first set 7-6 but only just after it went to a tie-break.

Keys seemed to be heading towards the finishing line but this is when the breaks came on. She took an early 3-0 lead but couldn't hold the advantage as Keys went on to make 29 unforced errors alone in the second set falling to Zarazua 6-7 to set up a third and final set so in reality the American was the architect of her own downfall.

The final set followed a similar blueprint to the first two as Zarazua and Keys were at it early exchanging games with the World No.82 daring to dream as she took a slender 4-3 lead and she broke through in the eighth game picking up a pivotal lead to go 5-3 up. Keys rallied back to make it 5-5 as she looked to send it the distance but Zarazua again took the next game to put herself in pole position. One she took from there as she took it 7-5 to finish the match.

Keys in the end finished on 89 unforced errors. She led the way with seven aces and the downfall came on that staggering number. The majority came in the first two sets as Keys played cleaner in the final set but in the end it proved to be that the early damage was done and Zarazua was in a good enough position just to finish the job. It is the first time in 30 years that a Mexican has beat a top 10 player.

“Coming into the match I was like almost crying because I was really nervous. The crowd made it so chill for me so I was loosening up. Thank you for staying. I know my game is a bit tricky. So sometimes people get a bit bored. Thank you for staying til the end," said Zarazua post match on court.

“You know, I’m a little small in height. Coming here I was like oh my gosh, this is huge. I was trying to focus on the court. I tried to find my way and kind of enjoy it because I knew when I retire I’m gonna be really happy about it. I was like, just enjoy it.”

She also is the only Mexican singles player in the main draw and so flies the flag for her whole nation.“I think it’s a country that we don’t have many tennis players. I had some of the Mexican players from doubles cheering for me. We just try to give our best. I could hear some Mexicans cheering. That was very nice.”

It is a significant loss for Keys who falls outside of the third round for the first time. She won the Australian Open and then reached the Quarter-Finals of the French Open before being dumped out at Wimbledon in the third round.