The world’s largest tennis stage, the emblematic Arthur Ashe Stadium, witnessed Mexican player Renata Zarazua deliver an unrelenting performance to upset Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the first round.
In her on-court interview, she revealed: “Coming into the match, I was almost crying, I was so nervous.”
The 27-year-old stole the spotlight, rallying from 7-6, 3-0 down to record a 6-7(10), 7-6(3), 7-5 win, the biggest of her career after a marathon three-hour, 10-minute match, advancing to the second round at the US Open for the second consecutive year on Monday.
Competing in the ninth Grand Slam main draw of her career, her determination and drive to keep fighting, and not give up, playing on Arthur Ashe for the first time, were crucial to overpowering one of the best players in the world.
“I’m a little bit small in height, so coming in here, it was like: ‘Oh, my God. This is huge,” she asserted about the largest stadium in tennis.
An erratic showing saw the 2017 US Open runner-up hit 89 unforced errors (14 double faults) against 46 winners overall, which cost an unscripted early exit at her home Slam in 14 career appearances at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Meanwhile, Zarazua committed just eight unforced errors against 34 winners.
Moreover, the two-time WTA 125s champion converted six of 10 break points and won 75 percent of the net approaches.
Next, she will face off against French player Diane Parry, who earlier cruised past Petra Kvitova 6-1, 6-0 in 52 minutes.
“It’s never easy to play this kind of match. It was an honor to play her at least once in my career,” commented the world No. 107 courtside.
The former two-time Wimbledon champion said farewell to professional tennis at the tournament, ending a successful 21-year-long career.
“I had hoped to put on a better show, but emotionally it was very tough,” outlined the 35-year-old Czech player.