TENNIS: Defending champion Keys survives mid-set wobble to advance

MELBOURNE — Defending champion Madison Keys overcame a shaky performance to advance to the third round of the Australian Open, defeating fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5 at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

The 30-year-old Keys once again looked less than convincing, following a tough first-round win over Ukrainian Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova just two days earlier.

Keys took 23 minutes to claim the opening set, showing a confident display that included seven winners and a perfect conversion of all three break points against Krueger.

However, doubts began to creep into her game in the second set. Keys gave Krueger two service breaks, committing several double faults that allowed the 21-year-old to open a three-game lead.

Despite the early setback, Keys regained her composure and won five straight games to close out the match and move on to the next round. -Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman/Reuters