Keys suffers shock US Open first-round loss

Australian Open champi-on Madison Keys says nerves got the better of her "for the first time in a while" after a surprise defeat by world number 82 Renata Zarazua in the US Open first round.

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Sixth seed Keys, competing in New York for the first time since becoming a Grand Slam champion, put in a error-strewn performance in a 6-7 (10-12) 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 defeat by the Mexican.

The American made 89 unforced errors, hit 14 double faults and saved just four of the 10 break points she faced.

"I feel like today for the first time in a while, my nerves really got the better of me, and it kind of became a little bit paralysing," Keys said.

“You always kind of feel first-round jitters, and as the day is getting closer, you're feeling more and more nervous.”

Keys started the year in superb fashion, beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne to win a first Grand Slam title.

But after reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open, the 30-year-old suffered asurprise third-round Wimbledon exit to 37-year-old Laura Siegemund.