Shadows swallowed up Arthur Ashe Stadium court completely as Renata Zarazua seized inspirational light.
Down a set and love-3, Zarazua stormed back shocking an error-plagued Madison Keys 6-7(10), 7-6(3), 7-5 in a gritty three hour, 10-minute US Open first-round upset.
Standing just 5-foot-3, in her white and hot pink shoes, Zarazua was tough at crunch time and played far more consistent combinations than Keys who repeatedly flat-lined her favored forehand into net in hitting herself right out of the Open.
It was Keys’ first opening-round Grand Slam loss since she fell to good friend Sloane Stephens in the 2021 US Open first-round that was a rematch of their 2017 final.
Near tears from the pressure of facing a Grand Slam champion on the game’s biggest stage, Zarazua was all smiles when Keys’ final forehand expired into net to end an astonishing upset.
“I’m just very happy,” said Zarazua after posting her seventh win of the season. “Obviously, coming into the match I was almost crying because I was very nervous.
“I think the crowd made it very chill for me. I know my game is tricky, so sometimes people get bored. So thank you for staying and cheering to the end.”
Todas las emociones
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025
Renata Zarazua of Mexico notches the biggest win of her career, rallying from 7-6 3-0 down to stun Keys! pic.twitter.com/NDtoZl6M4F
Australian Open champion Keys, playing with taping around her left thigh, looked tight, could not create consistent net clearance and unraveled in miscues over the final two games.
The sixth-seeded Keys committed self-sabotage on Ashe Stadium, which she’s called her favorite court. Keys committed a horrific 89 unforced errors—55 more than her 82nd-ranked opponent.
The Keys forehand, one of the most formidable shots in the sport when it’s firing with accuracy, deserted her in the end and the American coughed up 14 double faults on the day.
It is Zarazua’s first career Top 10 victory—and a historic win for Mexico.
Zarazua is the first Mexican to beat a Top 10 seed in a Grand Slam since cult hero Angelica Gavaldon, another small but spirited baseliner, took down Hall of Famer Jana Novotna at the 1995 Australian Open. New York fans of a certain age will recall Gavaldon, known for her stinging topspin and habit of wearing hoop earrings, attracted a major fan following at the US Open during her playing days.
The only Mexican woman in the singles draws said fans inspired her today.
“I think it’s a country that we don’t have many tennis players as you can see,” Zarazua said. “But I had some of the Mexican players from doubles as you can see. Definitely I could hear some Mexicans cheering so that was very nice.”