Keys upsets Swiatek in Cincinnati, Kvitova ousts Jabeur


Madison Keys shocked Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday (Aug. 18) to advance to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open, further disrupting the world number one’s preparations for the US Open.

Swiatek, who won her 50th match of the year in the previous round, saved four match points but was far from her best when she again exited a second tournament in US swing in the round of 16 after last week’s Canadian Open.

Keys, a 2019 Cincinnati champion, had never taken a trick from Poland’s Swiatek in two previous encounters, but the American was far more sober with her powerful returns and groundstrokes, breaking the world number one five times.

“I’ve had a couple of games with a couple of match points, of course, but I’m just so happy that I was able to win,” Keys said after her first career win over a world number one.

“Last time I played her, she hit me pretty hard, so I’m pretty glad I got that under control.”

Swiatek had complained that the women’s tennis balls were different from the men’s at US tournaments, and against Keys the top seed made several unforced errors and was broken twice in the opening set.

A bathroom break between sets did little to help Swiatek regain her composure as Keys settled firmly in the driver’s seat and took a 5-0 lead in the second set.

Served to stay in the game, Swiatek saved two match points, inspiring them to win the next four games as Keys made multiple errors.

But it only delayed the inevitable as Keys broke Swiatek to claim victory with a forehand winner.

Keys next meets Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who defeated Alison Riske-Amritraj 6-2, 6-4 to sail into the quarterfinals.

Wimbledon runners-up and fifth seed Ons Jabeur was defeated 6-1 4-6 6-0 by Czech Petra Kvitova.

Jabeur served poorly in the opening set with four double faults, but the Tunisian fought valiantly in the second to take the match to the decisive point.

But Jabeur withered in the blazing sunshine and despite saving two match points, Kvitova secured her place in the last eight.