Madison Keys Pulls Off Dramatic French Open Comeback – Match Highlights & Score Breakdown

Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys arrives at Roland-Garros this week carrying both a new title and the same fearless baseline power that has made her one of the most dangerous floaters in women’s tennis. Form and confidence after Melbourne Keys’ dramatic three-set win over Aryna Sabalenka in January delivered the 29-year-old her long-awaited first major crown, but she insists the milestone hasn’t changed her day-to-day preparation. “I kind of forgot about it once the clay swing started,” she joked in Paris, adding that her focus is on “building points, not defending them.” Clay-court record points to upside Although Keys is best known for lightning strikes on faster surfaces, her explosive forehand has translated to clay before—most notably a semifinal run here in 2018. She owns a 69 % career winning percentage on red dirt, and this spring she reached the semifinals in Charleston and the quarterfinals in Madrid, taking out two Top-10 opponents along the way. First-round matchup: Keys vs. Saville Monday’s opener pits the No. 7 seed against Australia’s Daria Saville, a counter-puncher who rebuilt her ranking after knee surgery and qualified for the main draw last week. Keys leads the head-to-head 2-0, including a straight-sets victory on clay in Madrid two seasons ago, and enters as a –500 betting favorite according to early odds. Keys called Saville “a grinder who makes you hit one extra ball,” noting that patience will be as important as pace. Draw analysis and potential roadblocks Should Keys advance, her quarter could feature a rematch with reigning Roland-Garros champion Iga Świątek in the last eight. The American pushed Świątek to 7-5 in the third last month in Rome, proving she can trouble the world No. 2 even on her preferred terrain. “I know what’s working against her now,” Keys said, hinting at tactical tweaks born from that near-miss. Physical fitness Keys arrived in Paris nursing only minor soreness after a heavy clay schedule. Her serve—peaking at 194 km/h in Rome—remains a key weapon for earning cheap points and shortening rallies on slower courts. Coach Georgi Krastev emphasized off-court conditioning to manage the grind of best-of-three sets across potentially seven matches. What a second Slam would mean A Roland-Garros crown would not only give Keys back-to-back majors but could also propel her to a career-high No. 2 ranking, depending on Świątek’s result and Aryna Sabalenka’s defense of semifinal points. It would mark the first time an American woman completed the Australian-French double since Serena Williams in 2015. Fan interest and broadcast details U.S. viewers can catch Keys’ first-round clash Monday on Tennis Channel at approximately 4 a.m. ET, with streaming available on the network’s digital platforms. French television coverage airs on France TV Sport, while global fans can follow real-time stats via RolandGarros.com. Key storylines to watch • How Keys balances aggression with margin on clay • Whether the slower surface mitigates her occasional streaks of unforced errors • The psychological edge of entering as a Grand Slam champion for the first time • Potential blockbuster quarterfinal versus Świątek Bottom line Madison Keys has already rewritten her narrative in 2025; Paris offers the chance to confirm it wasn’t a one-off. Armed with renewed belief, improved movement, and a draw that rewards bold shot-making, the American power-hitter opens her French Open campaign as both a sentimental favorite and a legitimate title contender.