Madison Keys, the No. 5 seed and reigning Australian Open champion, showcased her remarkable form by defeating Elina Avanesyan 6-3, 6-3 on March 21, 2025, in the second round of the Miami Open. This victory propels Keys into the third round, where she will face Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala next.
Keys has been enjoying a fantastic year in her tennis career, winning the Australian Open earlier in January 2025, which marked a significant achievement in her pursuit of success. She followed this triumph with an impressive run at Indian Wells, although her journey there came to a halt in the semi-finals against Aryna Sabalenka, a loss that was disappointing after previously defeating Sabalenka in the Australians’ final.
During her match against Avanesyan, who is currently ranked No. 36, Keys maintained her dominance on hard courts. Avanesyan had just edged out Russian wildcard Erika Andreeva in a challenging first-round match that went the distance, and the physical strain from that encounter likely affected her performance against Keys.
"I had to be consistent and play my game," said Keys after her match, expressing her focused approach to the encounter based on her strategy over the day. Her victory against Avanesyan not only secured her advancement but also marked her 98th WTA 1000-level win. This places her third on the list of American women for the most WTA 1000 match wins, only behind the legendary Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.
Moving forward, Keys’ next challenge is against Eala, who had a remarkable victory over Jelena Ostapenko in her second-round match, showcasing that she can be a formidable opponent. Keys' recent performances make her a favorite, but in the world of tennis, surprises always lurk around the corner, emphasizing that no match is too straightforward.
The Miami Open continues to provide thrilling action, with numerous matches featuring other top players taking place simultaneously. On the same day, Mirra Andreeva (seeded 11) defeated Veronika Kudermetova in a resounding sweep, while Amanda Anisimova (seeded 17) and Elina Svitolina (seeded 22) also advanced with dominant performances. Svitolina notably defeated Belinda Bencic, reinforcing her position as a significant contender.
Other notable matches included Jessica Pegula (seeded 4) bettering Bernarda Pera, Clara Tauson (seeded 20) securing a close victory over Julia Grabher, and Naomi Osaka defeating Liudmila Samsonova (seeded 24).
In yet another thrilling encounter, Coco Gauff (seeded 3) delivered a stunning performance, sweeping Sofia Kenin with an overwhelming score of 6-0, 6-0, emphasizing the depth of talent present at the Miami Open this year.
The stakes have never been higher as players vie for ranking points and form heading into the latter stages of the tournament, and for Keys, the aim to continue this path of success is firmly within reach. Her comfort on the hard court, particularly this year, positions her as a favorite as she aims for yet another deep run.
The excitement in Miami builds as the tournament progresses, with fans eagerly awaiting the next riveting matches. Madison Keys' journey serves as a reminder of her resilience and talent, making her a player to watch closely in the continuing Miami Open.
