Four Top 10 seeds have shockingly exited Wimbledon at the first round, with Madison Keys narrowly avoiding that fate just days ago. In her second match, Keys, the No. 6 seed, showed remarkable efficiency in defeating Olga Danilovic with a score of 6-4, 6-2 in only 75 minutes, following a grueling 2-hour and 41-minute first-round battle against Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
In a stark contrast to the sweltering heat experienced earlier in the tournament, the second-round matches were played under cooler, drizzly conditions that many players, including Keys, found more favorable. “I definitely felt a little more comfortable today,” Keys noted in a post-match interview. “It’s the cloudy, rainy England we know and love, so that helps a lot. It felt a little bit more normal out here today.”
Next, Keys will face Laura Siegemund, currently ranked No. 104, who advanced to the third round after an upset victory against No. 29 seed Leylah Fernandez. This marks Siegemund’s first time reaching this stage at Wimbledon in her career and adds to her burgeoning reputation after securing her third Top 30 victory of 2025.
Keys, a seasoned player with extensive experience on grass courts—including being a three-time grass-court champion and a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist—utilized her skills effectively against Danilovic. Although Keys recorded seven double faults during the match, they did not overshadow her performance, characterized by 19 winners and strategic defensive play that often put Danilovic on the back foot.
Meanwhile, Danilovic has had an impressive rise over the last year, climbing from No. 150 to No. 37, primarily due to her success on clay and hard courts. However, her struggle continues on grass, which posed a challenge during her match against the more experienced Keys.
As she prepares to face Siegemund, Keys acknowledged the uniqueness of playing against crafty opponents: “She’s always a tricky player. I think she’s super crafty… you just know that you’re never really going to get the same ball twice.” Despite suffering past defeats to more crafty players this grass season, Keys remains confident that understanding the game plan will be crucial.
Looking ahead, Keys expressed a preference for opponents who deliver powerful hits: “I would probably rather play someone who hits big… just because that’s how I play.”
With each match, Keys is proving her resilience and adaptability on the grass, embodying a competitive spirit that continues to inspire hopeful fans.