Keys saves 5 match points against Bondar at US Open: A champion's nerve and the cost of double faults

Court 17 at Flushing Meadows witnessed one of the most dramatic women’s matches of the US Open. Madison Keys, the 22nd seed, saved five match points to defeat Anna Bondar of Hungary 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the second round. Trailing 2-5 in the deciding set, the former Australian Open champion turned the match around using aggressive forehand winners and capitalizing on Bondar’s double faults. “People remember the result. I remember the conditions that shaped it.” Bondar led 5-2 and served for the match, but double-faulted on her first two match points. Keys then dominated the tie-break, winning 7-5 after saving all five match points. It was the first time in Keys’ US Open career she had saved five consecutive match points. Despite the thrilling finish, the match exposed structural issues in Keys’ game. She lost the first set 5-7 and struggled to control rallies. Against a top-10 opponent, such slow starts may be fatal. For Bondar, the loss is a lesson about serving under pressure. Data shows double faults on match points are more common for players unaccustomed to big-court pressure. While the media calls Keys lucky, the real turning point was Bondar’s two double faults. As I always say, desperation is no substitute for data. Keys now moves to the third round, but she must improve her consistency if she wants to challenge for the title. After all, a five-match-point save is exhilarating, but it is not a sustainable strategy. Data never rushes; only people do.