Former US Open champion Raducanu edged a tight tie-break to level against her American opponent and held her nerve to win 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 after a major wobble in the decider.
Raducanu said earlier this week that she was back in love with tennis having struggled with injuries and form since being thrust into the spotlight by her shock win at Flushing Meadows in 2021.
The 21-year-old, who missed the entire grass-court season last year following surgery, opted not to play in qualifying for the French Open or at the Paris Olympics but has a wild card for Wimbledon, which starts next week.
“It’s incredibly difficult when you’re playing someone who’s so in-form like Jessica,” said Raducanu. “She came off the back of a great run in Berlin, and no doubt she’s feeling confident on the grass, but I’m really pleased with how I managed to navigate some really tough situations, and to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to get myself out of it.”
Fourth seed Keys saved two set points against Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina with clean winners serving at 5-6 in the first set before dominating the second set against the Ukrainian qualifier to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
The American will next face 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova, who is playing her first tournament for nine months, after the Czech eased past qualifier Magda Linette 6-4, 6-1.
In the men’s event, Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic put out third seed Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-4 while fourth seed Sebastian Baez exited in straight sets at the hands of Miomir Kecmanovic. Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng beat Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 while Billy Harris ousted fellow Briton Charles Broom to reach his second consecutive quarter-final after last week’s surprise run at Queen’s.
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