Eleven days before the US Open (August 29-September 11), the 21-year-old Polish, so irresistible and dominant in the spring, testifies to her 37 victories in a row which allowed her to win in Doha, Indian Wells , Miami, Stuttgart, Rome and Paris therefore, is only a shadow of itself.
Already eliminated at the same stage by the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia last week in Toronto, then conceding her first defeat in fourteen matches on American hard surface, she was only deluded with her back to the wall in the second set.
Led 5-0, she saved a match point on her serve, avoiding eating a humiliating "donut".
Another burst followed by two breaks to be trailed only 5-4.
And the public around the central to witness an astonishing return, Keys often giving in to panic in the exchanges.
Finally, the 27-year-old American, so solid before this air pocket, found the keys to her game and was able to conclude by stealing Swiatek's serve for the third time, decidedly too intermittent.
Keys will face Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th) in the quarterfinals.
© 2022 AFP