"I'd melt if I got a warning" – Madison Keys opens up on rushing her opponents ahead of French Open 3R against compatriot Emma Navarro

Madison Keys has opened up about rushing through her serve routines ahead of her third-round matchup against fellow American Emma Navarro at the 2024 French Open. Keys defeated Mayar Sherif from Egypt in the second round on Thursday, May 30.

Keys powered through Sherif in the first set as she dished out a bagel in 20 minutes. Sherif, however, produced a fight in the second set as it went to a tiebreaker after both players exchanged one break each.

The tiebreaker also witnessed a close fight as Keys had to save three set points before clinching a 6-0, 7-6(7) win in under 85 minutes. Notably, The American's first-round effort also didn't take too long as she came through 6-3, 6-2 against Mexico's Renata Zarazua in 74 minutes.

After her win over Sherif on Thursday, the 14th seed faced a question about her pace while playing. One of the reporters noted Keys never needed the 25-second serve clock while wondering whether it was a corrective measure after receiving a time violation warning or it was about rushing the opponent.

Madison Keys claimed that she had never been penalized for time and her pace is built in her natural style of play.

"I've just always played really fast and that's just kind of how I go and I just kind of move at my own pace. I don't think I've ever gotten a warning, I would probably melt if I did because it would be very strange. It's just my natural pace of playing," Madison Keys added.

Keys' statement notably comes ahead of her meeting with compatriot Emma Navarro as the two will square off in the third round at the 2024 French Open on Saturday, June 1.

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Madison Keys and Emma Navarro are tied 1-1 in the head-to-head

Madison Keys in action at the 2024 French Open. Photo: Getty

Madison Keys and Emma Navarro will step on the court in the third round at Roland Garros on Saturday as equals on paper as the two are currently tied at 1-1 in head-to-head records.

The two first met for a Round-of-64 clash at the Charleston Open in 2023 where Keys, seeded ninth, clinched a 6-4, 6-3 win. They faced each other again a few months later that year in the Round of 32 at the Guadalajara Open where it was Navarro's turn to shine.

Navarro equaled the head-to-head tally by registering a 6-2, 7-6(5) victory. At the French Open thus far, Emma Navarro maintains a clean sheet as she defeated Zeynep Sonmez 6-2, 6-0 in her opener and Sara Errani 6-2, 7-5 in the second round.