Keys sails through to U.S. Open third round

Aug 28, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Madison Keys of the United States waves to the crowd after defeating Lin Zhu of China (not pictured) in the second round on day three of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Madison Keys eased through to the U.S. Open third round, recovering from a slow start and an early loss of serve to beat China's Zhu Lin 6-4 6-1 on Wednesday.

The 10th-seeded Keys, who lost in the 2017 U.S. Open final to fellow American Sloane Stephens, struck 31 winners in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Zhu, who exited the first three Grand Slams of the year in the first round, converted two of three break point opportunities but struggled to cause problems for her opponent.

Aug 28, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Madison Keys of the United States hits the ball to Lin Zhu of China (not pictured) in the second round on day three of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

"I think she came out and she was playing really well," Keys said of Zhu. "I just kind of stuck to my game and knew that I’d have and opportunity and stayed calm."

She will face either Germany's Laura Siegemund or 20th seed Sofia Kenin of the United States in the third round.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Ed Osmond)