Madison Keys, who lost to Sloane Stephens her Miami opener, 6-4, 6-2, says she is feeling more pressure after reaching the Australian Open semifinals.

Down 6-4, 5-0 on the changeover, Keys began to cry heavily. “I just kind of let the emotions get to me,” she said. “It's like you're having a really terrible day, but for me my terrible day is in front of hundreds of people and then broadcasted on TV. That's not always fun. But I kind of just let it get to me for a second. My coach [Jon Leach, who coaches with his wife, Lindsay Davenport] came out and said, ’You’re doing great.’

“I'm never one to give up. So he said, ‘Just keep fighting. I love that you're trying to do things and do better. Just all part of the process.’”

The 20-year-old Keys added that her deep run in Melbourne was a big positive in her young career, but she knows other players step up against top-ranked opposition.

“It's a combination,” the world No. 18 said. “It's always great to do well and things like that and move up in the rankings, but then it's also people start playing better against you and they are going after you more. It's just a different feeling.”