Madison Keys Beats Alina Korneeva to Reach US Open Second Round

Madison Keys moved into the second round of the US Open with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Alina Korneeva on Tuesday, making productive use of a protected court assignment as rain caused delays around the tournament grounds in New York. The Guardian reported that Keys completed the straight-sets win under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium while many other players waited to begin their first-round matches.

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The appearance is Keys’ 15th at the US Open, a milestone for the 31-year-old American. Keys turned professional on her 14th birthday in February 2009 and won the Australian Open singles title in 2025. She said the anniversary had prompted her to reflect on having now spent more than half of her life working as a professional tennis player.

The result also represented a steadier start than Keys managed at the same tournament a year ago. In 2025, she was eliminated in the opening round by Renata Zarazua, then ranked No. 82 in the world. After Tuesday’s win, Keys described the growing tension among players in the days before first-round competition, saying that anticipation and anxiety are shared across the locker room as the tournament approaches.

Elena Rybakina also advanced in straight sets, defeating 17-year-old American wildcard Thea Frodin 6-3, 6-2. Rybakina had retired from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek because of a foot injury, but The Guardian reported that she appeared comfortable during her opening match in New York.

Rybakina is No. 1 in the live rankings and remains in contention to reach the top of the official rankings for the first time. According to the report, she would secure that position by reaching the semi-finals, provided Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff do not win the tournament. Those conditions leave the ranking outcome dependent on several results later in the event.

In the men’s draw, fifth seed and French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli recovered from two sets down to beat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Cobolli’s five-set comeback placed him in the second round alongside Keys and Rybakina after three markedly different opening victories.