Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse was taken ill during the decisive set of her first-round match against Madison Keys, on what was the hottest opening day in Wimbledon's history. Monday saw temperatures soar to 32.3 degrees, as Ruse took on one of the competition's top seeds. Despite losing a tie break in the first set, Keys rallied back, although the match was briefly halted in the third and final set.

After consulting with the umpire, Ruse called for a medical timeout and the medical staff arrived in the second set. She appeared visibly fatigued as she fell ill and vomited into a bin. Despite her condition, the Romanian managed to complete the match, but it was Keys who emerged victorious with a 6-7, 7-5, 7-5 win, narrowly avoiding an upset and progressing to the second round.

Keys is now set to face Olga Danilovic in the next round. Despite her loss, Ruse exited the court with much admiration. Having won three qualifying matches to secure her place in the main draw, Ruse currently holds the world No. 57 ranking.

Just two weeks after nearly clinching the Libema Open, Ruse put significant pressure on Keys, the No. 6 seed.

She will continue her Wimbledon journey this week, teaming up with Marta Kostyuk in the women's doubles, with their first-round match slated for Wednesday.

Keys, meanwhile, is hoping to build on her successful season, which saw her claim her first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open earlier this year. After stunning Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, Keys triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka in the final, defeating the top two seeds.

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Keys, despite her affinity for grass courts, has yet to surpass the quarter-final stage at Wimbledon. The American tennis star has seen more success at other Grand Slams, reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros and being a runner-up at the US Open, but her Wimbledon journey has always fallen short.

Speaking to the LTA, Keys expressed her fondness for the surface: "I've always loved playing on the grass. I kind of started later in my career. I don't think I played on grass until I was like 16, and I just immediately loved it.

"I decided it was my favourite surface. I just feel like I kind of have a pretty natural game for grass and I've always felt pretty comfortable moving on it, so I have always really embraced it and loved playing there and have obviously a lot of really great memories."

Last year, Keys was tantalisingly close to breaking her Wimbledon quarter-final barrier, leading Jasmine Paolini 5-2 in the third set before an injury struck. At the time, Keys said, "I tore my hamstring."

Looking ahead with optimism this year, she stated: "Hopefully this is the year I make it past the quarters because Wimbledon has always been something that I dreamed of. It has this aura which means that, I think, for all tennis players it's the tournament."

Serena Williams remains the last American woman to clinch the Wimbledon title in 2016, and while Keys aspires to end this hiatus, she faces stiff competition from compatriots Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Danielle Collins, who are all contenders for the prestigious crown.

This article first appeared on Mirror US.