INDIAN WELLS _ Madison Keys' run to the U.S. Open final last year and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open this year certified she's realizing the promise she showed as a teenager. But success creates high standards, and at 23 she's still learning how to handle that.
"I think I've gotten a lot better at not really caring what other people's expectations are," she said. "A lot of my pressure that I have is solely just the pressure that I put on myself."
The No. 15 seed fell victim to jitters and to the clever, sure-serving play of Danielle Collins, who prevailed 6-3, 7-6(1) on Saturday. "I don't think I managed my nerves very well," said Keys, who has never gotten past the round of 16 here. "Coming into the tournament I always feel like I'm a little bit nervous. I put a lot of expectations on myself this time around so I think the biggest thing was being nervous, not moving very well, and it just showed itself in big moments."
Collins, a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Virginia, was down 5-6 in the second set but broke Keys' serve to tie the set at 6-6 and force the tiebreaker. The only point Keys earned in the tiebreaker came as the result of a short backhander by Collins.
"I knew I had a chance today if I competed my hardest and put everything out here," Collins said. "I've been putting in a lot of work."
Collins next will face 18-year-old Sofya Zhuk of Russia, who upset No. 18 seed Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
.png?w=600)
