Picture credit score: Sarah Stier/Getty for US Open
NEW YORK—The writing was on the wall as dire digits flashed over Madison Keys’ shoulder.
Dealing with a 2-5 final-set deficit, Keys confronted 5 match factors on the US Open immediately.
Unleashing a wrecking ball forehand and warrior will, Keys rewrote the plot, scripting one of the crucial dedicated comebacks of her profession.
The 2017 US Open finalist fought off 5 match factors edging Anna Bondar 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) in a two hour, 58-minute marathon match to battle into the US Open third spherical for the tenth time in 15 appearances.
Keys smacked 51 winners in comparison with 17 for Bondar. Dictating play along with her forehand, Keys fired 34 forehand winners, which was 24 greater than her Hungarian opponent.
This was a wild experience that noticed Keys save two match factors when Bondard served for the match at 5-2 then deny three extra match factors on her personal serve to shut the hole to 4-5.
That stirring stand sparked Keys, who ran off 11 consecutive factors to construct a 6-5 lead within the decider.
After finishing one in every of her most charming comebacks, Keys credited the vocal Courtroom 17 followers for carrying her over the end line.
“I like you guys! That was one thing, no stress, all of us knew I had it,” a smiling Keys joked afterward. “Thanks. You guys bought me by means of that match.
“I’m so pleased. It actually provides me chills. It’s the best factor on the planet.”
The gratitude was real.
A 12 months in the past, Keys crashed out of the US Open first spherical in a good and nervy efficiency in opposition to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.
This time, a defiant Keys refused to crumble beneath intense third-set strain immediately.
“Once I walked out individuals stood up and I used to be like: ‘Wow, they’re pleased I’m right here,’ “ Keys stated. “It’s such a tremendous environment, simply with the ability to play in entrance of those followers over and over and over is the best feeling on the planet.
“That is one of the best environment I’ve ever performed in. I used to be making an attempt to remind myself the match wasn’t over but then the one I hit [down match point] the whole lot however my strings it felt like an excellent omen.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/hA5wWu_m56M?si=sn8zLB35uL03pAwt
Regardless of all the nice work she did forcing Bondar to a third-set breaker, Keys needed to stage one other comeback as soon as she arrived there.
Down 3-4 within the tiebreaker, Keys double faulted broad then got here proper again with a sequence of crackling forehands. Keys fired a forehand winner down the road for 4-5. Keys hit crosscourt forehand winner for 5-all.
Stepping round her backhand, Keys slammed a forehand winner down he Line for 7-5 Bondar internet backhand 8-5 Keys.
The 73rd-ranked Bondar flailed a forehand effectively broad giving Keys a fistful of match factors. Hammering a passing shot proper at her opponent’s physique, Keys capped a sweaty, stick battle in two hours, 58 minutes.
It was Keys’ greatest Grand Slam comeback since she captured her maiden main on the 2025 Australian Open.
A brave Keys saved match level at 5-6 surprising second-seeded Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) in a pulsating AO semifinal comeback win that propelled her into her first Australian Open remaining. Keys went on to topple Aryna Sabalenka to seize the Melbourne main.https://www.youtube.com/embed/kCDHqTFmgrY?si=b8fCQJd3u51Jz1iy
Nonetheless thriving in New York Metropolis, Keys unleashed a livid fist pump towards her field—and husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo who flashed a clenched fist proper again at his ecstatic spouse.
The 31-year-old Keys will face both Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng Qinwen or feisty Yulia Putintseva for a fourth-round look—and a possible rematch vs. Swiatek.
