Jack Sock and John Isner say whether they are worried about Madison Keys after she suffers shock defeat at the Miami Open

Two months on from the biggest wins of her career Madison Keys has suffered one of her most shocking defeats.

The American was on top of the world when she flew across the world to win the Australian Open, winning a thrilling final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

She returned to action at the Indian Wells Masters and after reaching the semi-finals there, the 31-year-old was expected to have a strong campaign at the Miami Open.

But her campaign came to an end in the third round, courtesy of a teenager who has reached the quarter-finals of a WTA Tour event for the first time.

Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Jack Sock and John Isner have their say on Madison Keys’ Miami Open defeat

Madison Keys looked out of sorts when she took on Alexandra Eala for a spot in the Miami Open last 16.

The American struggled for consistency and sprayed errors as the teenager absorbed the power and applied pressure with her second serve returns.

Keys won less than 50% of her first and second serve points in a 4-6, 2-6 defeat to Eala, a result very few would have seen coming.

Discussing the result on the Moving Major podcast, Jack Sock and John Isner think this a blip that Keys will rebound strongly from.

“I think it’s tough. She is on one side playing with the most confidence she has ever had in herself but on another side probably putting the most pressure she ever has on herself as well after the biggest singles title of her career,” Sock said.

More Tennis News

“Winning a Grand Slam you feel like you get the monkey off your back winning that big of a title after being on tour for so long.

“But you are probably heading into tournaments now with extra pressure on yourself, other players and the media are putting extra pressure on you now. It’s a whole new territory for her.

“I would assume it is more outside stuff than on court, hitting of the ball. Once she puts together a few good wins or one more good run in a week it will probably flip for the rest of the year for her.”

Isner added: “I think this is just a blip on the radar. Just a bizarre result, didn’t play well, delete it, forget about it.”

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Where will Madison Keys play next?

Keys will have the chance to rebound from the disappointing result in Miami by competing at the Charleston Open.

The WTA 500 event is set to commence on March 29 and the final will take place on April 6.

Keys has been named as one the participants, and she will fancy her chances after she won the title back in 2019.

Assessing Keys’ chances in Charleston, Isner said: “I haven’t checked the entry list but I imagine Madison is going to go on to Charleston to that fantastic WTA event, which is always loaded.

“She is still the Australian Open champion. She will have a lot of confidence.”

Click here to read article