Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys reels off five games in a row to reach third round

The defending Australian Open champion made her presence felt after a strong win over Ashlyn Krueger, 6-1, 7-5. World No. 9 Madison Keys came back from a 2-5 deficit in the second set, winning five consecutive games to close out the match and advance to the third round.

The match initially seemed dominated by Keys, who had taken the first set easily in just 23 minutes, conceding only four points on her serve. On the return, things had gone almost perfectly for Keys so far, winning 64% of return points in the first set, before Krueger began her reaction.

While it looked like the match might go to a third set — when Krueger led with a double-break advantage in the second set at 5-2 — the 2025 Australian Open champion responded by taking five games in a row to close out the victory.

Krueger (No. 62) took her first service game without major problems, but Keys quickly responded with an imposing service game to level. The defending Melbourne champion then established dominance, converting three consecutive break points and taking advantage of her opportunities.

The former world No. 5 totaled seven winners and seven unforced errors, while Krueger managed just two winners and nine unforced errors. The match was contested from the baseline, with Krueger unable to keep pace with a rival who gave no chances on serve. Keys closed the first set in just 23 minutes, 6-1.

In the second set, things evened out, with Krueger finding more effectiveness on her first serve, improving from winning just 38% in the first set to 58% in the second. The set remained without break points until 2-2, when Krueger earned her first chance and managed to take momentum.

The world No. 62 went on to win 11 consecutive points in the middle of the set, moving to a commanding 5-2 lead with serve in hand. However, Keys refused to give up, putting pressure on her opponent, recovering the first break, and then saving a set point to take the second break and level 5-5. Mentally, Keys grew in confidence while Krueger faltered, and the shift became noticeable in the final moments of the match.

Krueger had to serve at 5-6 to push the set to a tiebreak, but doubts returned, giving Keys another chance. Although Krueger began 30-0, Keys responded with a string of points and ultimately closed out the match in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, advancing to the third round.

Keys, now on a nine-match winning streak in Melbourne, will face the winner between former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova and young Indonesian Janice Tjen, who eliminated 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez in the first round.