Defending Champion Madison Keys Surges into Australian Open Last 16

The ninth seed prevailed 6-3, 6-3 and will play fellow American and sixth seed Jessica Pegula for a place in the quarter-finals.

“My serve got me out of a few tough spots,” said Keys, who is a good friend of Pegula.

“I give myself a pat on the back for that.”

Keys said the emphatic nature of her victory “gives me a confidence boost that I can find my best tennis when pushed.”

Keys stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 29, in the final a year ago.

He failed to win another tournament in 2025 and although he won his two opening matches in Melbourne this year in straight sets, he was nervous and admitted he was “too shy”.

The 33-year-old Pliskova’s ranking dropped to 1,057 after she missed most of last season following ankle surgery.

But he has a track record of topping the rankings in 2017 and is a two-time grand finalist at the US Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2021.

With warm and sunny weather at Rod Laver Arena, an earlier start than usual and temperatures expected to reach 40°C later in the day, the Keys opened fire.

Pliskova broke her serve twice to take a 3-0 lead in 15 minutes, and then took a 4-0 lead and completed the first set in 43 minutes.

There was little difference between them in the second set until Keys made it 5-3 with a devastating forehand that left Pliskova grounded.

“I need to be confident in my game and myself,” Keys said.

“I feel really good and I was excited and ready for the heat today.”