Krunic makes her way to US Open third round

NEW YORK – Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic made it to the third round at US Open after digging deep to beat Madison Keys of the United States 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-5 in the second round late on Thursday CET.

This second round victory in her second Grand Slam main-draw appearance is for now the biggest career achievement for the 21-year-old Serb, currently 145th in the WTA rankings.

After weathering three qualifying rounds and jumping the first hurdle in the main-draw taking out Polish Katarzyna Piter, the Serb kept the winning spirit to show the door to No. 27 Keys after a dramatic two hours and 19 minutes of hard battle.

World number four Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, who breezed by fellow Czech Petra Cetkovska (6-4, 6-2), awaits Krunic in the third round.

Earlier yesterday, Ana Ivanovic was ousted by another Czech, 42nd-ranked Karolina Pliskova, 7-5, 6-4.