Madison Keys Triumphs on Independence Day at Wimbledon
LONDON, July 4 — Madison Keys marked Independence Day in style, overcoming sixth seed Amanda Anisimova, last year’s runner-up, with a score of 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 during the U.S. Championships held on Wimbledon’s Center Court.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for American tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, as they pulled out of their anticipated doubles match due to Serena’s knee injury.
At the start of the match, Anisimova, hailing from New Jersey, appeared strong. Under the warm afternoon sun, she executed a powerful serve that left Keys with no option but to send the ball into the net, securing the first set.
However, in the second set, her previously impressive serving game faltered. Anisimova struggled with tosses and lost concentration, particularly in the second and eighth games.
Though Keys has reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon twice before, her recent win at the Eastbourne preliminary tournament provided her with newfound confidence. This certainly seemed to help her performance today.
The 26th seed and last year’s Australian Open champion managed to win 76% of points on her first serve, despite committing 23 unforced errors compared to Anisimova’s 42.
A beautiful backhand earned Keys a crucial break in the fourth game of the deciding set, with Anisimova concluding the match with a serve that went wide.
On this Independence Day, Keys practiced hard alongside seven other American singles players in southwest London, while back home, many celebrated the holiday with festivals and fireworks.
In other matches, Ashlyn Krueger, ranked 102nd globally, progressed to the last 16 with a straightforward win over Ukraine’s Daria Snigur, finishing at 6-3, 6-2.
On the flip side, two other Americans faced early exits; 23rd seed Emma Navarro was defeated by the rising 12th seed Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine, with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
In the men’s draw, Zachary Sweida, making his Wimbledon debut at just 23, managed to snag a set from fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia but ultimately lost the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
