Defending champion Madison Keys exits Australian Open to friend Jessica Pegula in last 16, but says she is proud of how she handled the pressure.
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Madison Keys said she was proud of her efforts despite her Australian Open reign ending with a last-16 defeat to close friend Jessica Pegula.
The American sixth seed beat her fellow countrywoman 6-3, 6-4 in hot and sunny conditions at Melbourne Park on Monday.
Keys, who stunned Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final, made 27 unforced errors to Pegula’s 17 and served six double faults.
“Obviously not the way that I wanted things to end here, but still really proud of myself,” said the 30-year-old Keys.
She said she was proud of how she handled the extra pressure and nerves of returning as defending champion.
Keys added it was “one of those days where I feel like Jess beat me, and I can kind of walk away with my head held high.”
The pair are friends off the court and co-host a tennis podcast together.
Keys conceded that Pegula, who is chasing a first Grand Slam title, dictated play from the start.
“It’s not like the world is ending because I lost today,” added Keys, who failed to win another tournament after her Melbourne triumph 12 months ago.
She said she still has 11 months of the year left and will work on new things for the next tournament.
Keys also said she hopes Pegula can now go on to win the tournament.
Pegula’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash with either American fourth seed Amanda Anisimova or China’s Wang Xinyu.
