Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Who Is Renata Zarazua – the Mexican Tennis Star Who Defeated Grand Slam Champion Madison Keys at the US Open 2025

Mexico’s Renata Zarazua pulls off the upset of her career, stunning Slam champion Madison Keys.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, was handed a shock exit in the opening round of the US Open as she fell 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. The world No. 6 and sixth seed crumbled under the weight of 89 unforced errors, while Zarazua held her nerve to secure the biggest win of her career after more than three hours on court. Read ahead to know more about the Mexican.

World No.82 Renata Zarazua becomes the first Mexican woman ever to beat a top 10 opponent at the US Open! 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/SiqI4xy4iw
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025

Who Is Renata Zarazua?

Renata Zarazua has steadily become the face of Mexican tennis. Born on September 30, 1997, in Mexico City, Zarazua grew up in a tennis-oriented family. Her older brother Patricio played collegiately at Palm Beach Atlantic University, while her great-uncle Vicente Zarazua represented Mexico in 16 Davis Cup ties and even captured gold in exhibition doubles at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

On court, Renata’s career has been a mix of perseverance and breakthrough moments. She boasts two WTA Challenger singles titles and one doubles crown, alongside four ITF singles and 17 ITF doubles titles. In 2020, she made history by qualifying for Roland Garros, becoming the first Mexican woman in 20 years to feature in a Grand Slam main draw. Her run to the Mexican Open semifinals that same year remains her standout WTA performance.

‼️Upset Alert in Queens‼️

Renata Zarazua knocks out Keys in an epic battle to move into Round 2.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/cINkpHDowp
— wta (@WTA) August 25, 2025

Zarazua Breaks Barriers with First Top-10 Victory

For much of the opening set, it seemed Keys’ raw power would override her errors. Despite racking up 37 unforced errors, she managed to claw through a tense tiebreak after Zarazua wasted five set points. It seemed that the 2017 US Open finalist experience would be heavier for Zarazua to bear, as Keys raced ahead 3-0 in the second set after winning the first.

But Zarazua, ranked No. 82, never blinked. She reeled off four consecutive games to swing the momentum and forced another tiebreak. This time, the Mexican needed only one chance, with Keys’ 13th double fault handing away the set. From that moment, the pressure tilted squarely on the American. Even with constant support from her coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, Keys’ inconsistency returned at the worst moments.

The deciding set stayed tight until Zarazua broke in the eighth game, only to see Keys strike back immediately. But Keys’ error count proved fatal. On match point, her 89th unforced error landed long, sealing Zarazua’s triumph and sparking wild celebrations from her supporters in the stands.

Zarazua d. Madison Keys 6-7(10) 7-6(3) 7-5 at U.S. Open

2 points from going home

Renata gets the biggest win of her life

She’s into the 2nd round of a Slam for the 5th time

The only Mexican player, man or woman, in the top 100

✅1st top 10 win

What a proud moment

🇲🇽❤️ pic.twitter.com/EQA5INtE5A
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025

For Zarazua, this was more than just an upset, a career milestone and a historic breakthrough for Mexican tennis. She became the first Mexican player to defeat a top-10 seed at a Grand Slam since Angelica Gavaldon toppled Jana Novotna at the 1995 Australian Open. The win also marked Zarazua’s first top-10 scalp after eight previous Slam appearances that ended in early-round exits. She now moves on to face Diane Parry, who stunned Petra Kvitova in straight sets.

Keys, meanwhile, departs with unwanted history. She is the first American woman seeded in the top 10 to lose in the first round at Flushing Meadows since Chanda Rubin in 2003. After lifting her maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne earlier this year with a win over Aryna Sabalenka, the 30-year-old hoped for another deep run. Instead, she leaves New York stunned and undone by her own errors.

Mandatory Image Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Madison Keys

Renata Zarazua

US Open 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.