Post by : Meena Ariff

Madison Keys, the defending Australian Open champion, was eliminated from the tournament on Monday after a straight-sets defeat to fellow American Jessica Pegula at Melbourne Park. The match, held on the iconic Rod Laver Arena, saw Keys struggle to find her usual form as she fell 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round.

From the very beginning, Keys appeared unsettled against Pegula’s aggressive and relentless style of play. Pegula, known for her powerful groundstrokes and tactical precision, immediately put Keys on the back foot. The pressure mounted as Pegula consistently forced Keys into making unforced errors, breaking her rhythm and confidence on the court.

Keys tried to regroup and mount a comeback during the second set, showing flashes of her championship-winning quality. However, Pegula’s unwavering consistency and sharp shot-making left little room for error. Pegula controlled the pace of the match, dictating rallies and capitalizing on crucial points to close out the contest in straight sets.

This loss marks an unexpected early exit for Keys, who had come into the Australian Open as the reigning champion and one of the favorites to win the title again. Her departure opens up the draw, creating opportunities for other players to advance and vie for the prestigious Grand Slam crown.

Jessica Pegula’s strong performance has now raised expectations for her progression deeper into the tournament, as she looks to build on this significant victory over the defending champion. Meanwhile, Keys will need to regroup and assess her game as she exits the Melbourne Park stage earlier than anticipated.

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