MLBRecap
Gage Workman plays hero in Detroit Tigers debut as Detroit snaps 5-game skid
Gage Workman hits a crucial home run in his Tigers debut, helping snap a five-game skid.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
TennisFeature
Madison Keys makes unexpected decision after premature Italian Open loss
TL;DR
Madison Keys lost her Round of 32 match at the Italian Open to Nikola Bartunkova. Following her illness and inconsistent clay court performance, she has made an unexpected decision regarding her upcoming matches.
Key points
- Madison Keys lost to Nikola Bartunkova at the Italian Open.
- Keys was ill prior to the Italian Open and withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open.
- Her clay court performance has been inconsistent leading up to the French Open.
French OpenMadison KeysNikola BartunkovaItalian Open
American tennis star Madison Keys lost her Round of 32 match at the Italian Open on Sunday. She fell in three sets to lucky loser Nikola Bartunkova, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6. Barunkova is another in the long line of high quality Czech Republic players.
Keys’ European clay court match play leading up to the French Open has been spotty. She got violently ill at the Mutua Madrid Open and was forced to withdraw. It took her days to recover and feel healthy enough to resume training.
Because of her lack of red clay play this spring, Keys is making a surprising decision.
MORE: McCoco wins first match back together at Italian Open
What Keys is doing
Keys will be the top seed in next week’s WTA 125 Paris Challenger event called Trophee Clarins played on the outdoor clay courts in the middle of Bois de Boulogne.
Though Keys is the top seed, she is joined in the draw by other recognizable names and faces of the WTA Tour including Leylah Fernandez, Maya Joint, McCartney Kessler, Katie Boulter (defending champion), Emma Navarro, and Charleston Open finalist Yulia Stardubtseva. All were ousted earlier than expected from the Italian Open.
That is an outstanding lineup for a 125 event. The players have the same goal, build momentum and win matches in Paris before Roland Garros begins later this month.
MORE: Arthur Fils explains abrupt Italian Open retirement
The Italian Open will get top billing on Tennis Channel during the upcoming week (May 11-17), but fans will also have their eyes on Trophee Clarins action also.
Q&A
What was Madison Keys' result at the Italian Open?
Madison Keys lost her Round of 32 match at the Italian Open to Nikola Bartunkova with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 4-6.
Why did Madison Keys withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open?
Madison Keys withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a severe illness that left her unable to compete.
What decision did Madison Keys make after her loss at the Italian Open?
Madison Keys made a surprising decision regarding her participation in upcoming matches due to her lack of clay court play this spring.