Keys Overcomes Nerves to Beat Oleksandra Oliynykova in Melbourne Opener

Madison Keys may have started her Australian Open title defense with a win, but her opponent, tattooed Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova, left a strong impression in her Grand Slam and WTA Tour debut. 

Keys struggled early, committing 15 unforced errors in the first four games, falling 4-0 behind a player making her professional debut at this level. Although Keys rallied with five consecutive games, she needed to regain her range to avoid becoming only the second defending champion in the Open Era to lose her first match the following year. In a tense tiebreak, Keys hit four straight winners to claim the first set 7-6(6), then cruised to a 6-1 win in the second. 

“I had been thinking of that moment for basically a year,” Keys said in her on-court interview. “I was very nervous at the start, but I reminded myself to embrace the moment. I’m really glad to be back and that I got through that match.” 

Oliynykova, ranked No. 92, made the early games a strategic battle. She used a mix of pace, slices, and defensive play to exploit Keys’ nerves and inconsistencies, keeping the American guessing and forcing her to over-hit. Despite the loss, Oliynykova remained composed, signing autographs and posing for selfies while Keys gave her post-match interview. 

“First of all, my opponent today was incredible,” Keys said. “Her serve and defensive game made it tricky for me. I had to settle in, trust myself, and go after my shots. Her changes of pace, slices, and speed made me work hard, but I was able to find my rhythm.” 

Keys finished the match with 26 winners to Oliynykova’s seven and will look to extend her unbeaten streak in Melbourne to nine matches when she faces fellow American Ashlyn Krueger in the second round.