Madison Keys has launched her Australian Open title defence with a 7-6(6) 6-1 win over Ukrainian Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova to reach the second round at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Keys found herself in trouble early on at Rod Laver Arena, conceding a double break with untimely double faults, and while she drew level at 4-4 the American was then dragged into a tiebreak where Oliynykova caused more chaos with her deep, looping shots.
The plucky Ukrainian brought up two set points but Keys erased the deficit with some trademark big-hitting to eventually snatch a tense tiebreak, punctuating her escape with a roar.
The shift in momentum was confirmed when ninth seed Keys went ahead 3-0 in the second set and the 30-year-old wrapped up the win on serve to set up a second-round meeting with fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Top seed Sabalenka sees off Bai to progress to third round
Mbappe and Vinicius shine as Real Madrid thrash Monaco
Gabriel Jesus in dreamland after double in Arsenal's win at San Siro
UAE shooters hit bronze at Asian Championship
Champion Sinner races into Australian Open second round after Gaston retires
