Keyes started off with a lot of mistakes, and the victory for Swiatek, the 2023 champion, seemed to be in doubt. Keys was playing her first match since losing in the first round of the U.S. Open in August.
World No. 2 Swiatek broke the American’s serve at the first opportunity – with the help of two double faults – and didn’t give up. Keys had won just three points as she found herself 5-0 down.
Keys, who ended her wait for a first Grand Slam title in January, held serve at her third attempt to temporarily halt Swiatek’s progress – but the 30-year-old ended the 23-minute first set with just one winner from 15 unforced errors.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek broke immediately in the second set to keep the momentum going, but a lapse in concentration in the next game allowed Keys to get back into the match.
But Keys’ two double faults handed the initiative back to his opponent, and Swiatek won five of the last six games to seal the inevitable victory.
When asked what he was most pleased with about his performance, the 24-year-old told the crowd: “Everything. Everything I practiced, I was playing today to get the right balance between solidity and aggression.”
“I’m happy to bring my game today.”
