Melbourne — Defending women’s champion Madison Keys endured a shaky start to her Australian Open title defence, raising early questions about her form, while American youngster Ben Shelton produced a dominant performance to comfortably outclass France’s Ugo Humbert in the opening rounds of the Grand Slam.
Keys, returning to Melbourne as the reigning champion, appeared far from her commanding best as she battled inconsistency and unforced errors on court. The American struggled to settle into her rhythm, allowing her opponent to stay competitive and capitalise on lapses in concentration. Although she managed to navigate past the opening hurdle, the performance suggested she may need to lift her level significantly to progress deeper into the tournament.
Observers noted that Keys’ usually powerful baseline game lacked fluency at crucial moments, with her timing and shot selection coming under pressure. While her experience helped her survive the early test, the match served as a reminder of the physical and mental demands that come with defending a Grand Slam crown.
In contrast, Ben Shelton delivered one of the most assured performances of the day, overpowering Ugo Humbert with an aggressive all-court display. Shelton’s explosive serve and confident groundstrokes kept the Frenchman on the defensive, as the American controlled the tempo from start to finish to seal a convincing victory.
Shelton’s commanding win highlighted his growing maturity on the big stage, reinforcing his status as one of the most exciting prospects in men’s tennis. His ability to combine raw power with improved composure has already made him a player to watch in Melbourne this year.
As the Australian Open gathers pace, early results suggest a tournament full of contrasts — established champions seeking momentum and rising stars eager to make their mark. With intense matches and potential upsets looming, the opening rounds have set the tone for an intriguing fortnight of tennis action.
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