US Open 2017: Home favourite Madison Keys withstands stern Elise Mertens test

With coaches Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters – both former champions here in New York – watching on under the lights, it was the former who witnessed her apprentice put in a powerful display on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After trading early breaks, Keys broke Mertens in the eighth game to steal ahead in the opening set, and the 22-year-old clinched it in the following game after 36 minutes on court.

Break-point opportunities came and went in the second set for both players as it remained on serve until the 11th game, when Keys turned on the style to wear down Mertens.

However, serving for the match, Keys fell 15-40 down after a double fault and unforced error, and Mertens then took it to a tie-break with an expert lob.

A topsy-turvy tie-break then saw Mertens squander a set point on her own serve, with Keys going on to win it 8-6 and seal the victory.

The 15th seed will face either Tatjana Maria or Ashley Kratzer in the second round, with the duo unable to complete their match on Tuesday due to heavy rain.