Young American has the Keys to victory

“There is a bunch of big stories, obviously. Serena is back. Sloane is playing really well. There is just a lot going on this year.”

It’s true. Serena Williams, following her maternity leave, dominates the headlines as ever, and Sloane Stephens looking mighty dangerous in defense of her U.S. Open title is a juicy subplot. But Madison Keys, who offered that summary of events, who matched up with Stephens in last year’s final and who joined her fellow American women in the quarterfinals Monday afternoon, is looming, too. Even if she prefers we not mention it.

“It’s kind of nice to be under the radar,” the 23year-old Keys said. “I’m pretty used to it either way. This one just seems like it’s a little bit more low-key.”

Keys’ time under the radar in this tournament is ending. The No. 14 seed bulldozed past her fourthround opponent, No. 29 seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-1, 6-3, in the opening match of the Labor Day matinee card at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It’s not the equal of 2017’s all-American women’s semifinals, but three of the quarterfinals with an American entry is a strong showing at the home Grand Slam. John Isner made the quarters of the men’s draw.

“It’s always nice to see a bunch of Americans doing well at the home slam,” Keys said. “I’m just really happy to be a part of it. And to have back-to-back years is really special.”

Keys was routing Cibulkova, up 2-0 in the second set, when she hiccuped, losing three con- secutive games. Keys soon reeled off four straight games to exit the 90-degree heat after a manageable 1 hour and 16 minutes.

“It gets a little bit tighter, and then you think, ‘Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t try to hit a winner on the first ball,’ ” Keys said. “It’s just using [the crowd] in those tight moments. They’re always behind me, so that’s really helpful.”

Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka — a pair of precocious 20-yearolds with top-20 rankings (Osaka is No. 19, Sabalenka is No. 20) and the kind of powerful games that have them tipped as future major champions — staged a gripping, back-and-forth battle Monday in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, won by Osaka, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.