Madison Keys overcame four early double-faults and settled in to record a 6-3, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic to reach round two of the Olympic competition. Keys ended both sets winning the final three games.
Keys wins first set on the strength of a late flurry
Both players were making their Olympic debuts and Keys had the first opportunity, three break chances in the fifth game, saved well by Kovinic. Keys then held from 15-40 down in her service game, an ace saving the first break point on her way to levelling the set at 3-3. In the seventh game, Keys broke as Kovinić missed a wide-open court with the forehand as the American was slipping. After a quick hold, Keys broke in the ninth game to love to take the set 6-3 and assume a one-set advantage.
Keys break midway through the second set, cruises to the finish line
The second set was relatively calm until the fourth game, Keys wasting two break point chances in a 14-point game as the Montenegrin held for 2-2. As with the first set when she fought off break points, she would get broken in her next service game, Keys setting it up with her speed and hustle, getting to Kovinić's drop shot and tracking down the Montenegrin's excellent lob with a blistering forehand, Kovinic missing the volley.
She would break on the next point for a 4-2 lead. At 5-2, Keys had a match point, saved by Kovinić with an ace. She held, but that was only delaying the inevitable as Keys served for the match at 5-3. She had no problems serving it out, holding to 15, one final Kovinic backhand going long. Keys will face Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic in the second round.
Keys talks about her win
“It feels absolutely amazing," Keys said after the match on the Bravo television broadcast. "Match point I was really, really nervous. As soon as I won, it was a feeling that I've never had before, and it was incredible". The seventh seed felt that hold from 15-40 down trailing 3-2 in the first set sparked her: “That was a huge turning point," Keys said. "I definitely think when I was able to hit that one serve to get back to deuce, I let a big ‘come on’ out and that really settled me down and got me into the match.”
