After her record-setting 1:48 a.m. finish on Tuesday morning at the U.S. Open, eighth seed Madison Keys wasted no time in booking her place in the third round, needing just 48 minutes to cruise past American wild card Kayla Day, 6-1, 6-1.

Keys Knocks Day Out of the Water in Dominant Opening Set

What initially appeared to be a mismatch on paper was just that, as it was clear that Keys was stronger in all departments, especially the serve. Cruising through her opening service game, the eighth seed wasted no time in claiming the first break of the contest, doing so at the second time of asking, before consolidating at love to jump out to a quick 3-0 lead.

Madison Keys hits a forehand during her second-round match against Kayla Day at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America
Madison Keys hits a forehand during her second-round match against Kayla Day at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America
 

Having found her rhythm early on, Keys was showing little signs of slowing down, putting together a flawless couple of games to extend her lead from 3-0 to 5-0 in a matter of minutes, without dropping a single point in the process.

In danger of losing a shutout opener in less than 15 minutes, Day showed just why she is often regarded as one of America’s brightest prospects, courageously saving a pair of set points to get on the board, much to the delight of a very appreciative American crowd.

Kayla Day hits a backhand during her second-round match against Madison Keys at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America
Kayla Day hits a backhand during her second-round match against Madison Keys at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

The late resistance from Day only seemed to spur Keys on, who would wrap up the set at the third time of asking, winning it 6-1 in just 18 minutes.

Keys Completes Shutout Victory in 48 Minutes

The second set would follow a similar script, with Keys proving too strong from the back of the court, however, Day was able to offer some resistance in a match where she was really on the back foot.​

Madison Keys hits a backhand during her second-round match against Kayla Day at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America
Madison Keys hits a backhand during her second-round match against Kayla Day at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

Though the 16-year-old was doing a much better job absorbing the pace of Keys, and even forcing errors out of the tenth seed, it was the elder American who would come out on top in the first four games of the match, jumping out to a set and 4-0 lead in a few minutes shy of the 40-minute mark.

But in the end, Day would give her team something to cheer about, effectively weathering the storm to get on the board in the fifth game, but that would prove to be no match for Keys, who responded with an efficient hold of her own, before sealing the deal right then and there in the following game to claim a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Madison Keys and Kayla Day meet and shake hands at the net after their second-round match at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America
Madison Keys and Kayla Day meet and shake hands at the net after their second-round match at the 2016 U.S. Open. | Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

Battle of the WTA Rising Stars: Keys to Meet Osaka Next

Awaiting Keys in the third round is Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who got the better of the hard-hitting Duan Ying-Ying in straight sets.

In what promises to be another hard-hitting battle of the WTA Rising Stars, Keys will square off against Osaka for the first time, with a spot in the second week on the line. The question is: Who will be bold enough to take it?