Madison Keys won the Eastbourne title for a third time as the American defeated Germany’s Maria Tatjana 7-5, 6-4 in the final of the Wimbledon warm-up event.
Keys, seeded second, ignored hot temperatures on the south coast to see off the world number 112 in 93 minutes.
This was the 31-year-old’s first title since she clinched her maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open last year.
Keys has now joined an illustrious group of three-time champions on the Eastbourne grass, alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
In her first final since finishing as the Trophee Clarins runner-up in Paris in May, the world number 27 avenged a semifinal defeat against Maria on grass at Queen’s Club last year.
Keys’ first WTA title came at Eastbourne 12 years ago and she won a second later in 2023. She maintained her dominance at the event, securing an 11th title on the women’s tour in her 16th career final.
Having also won the Birmingham event 10 years ago, Keys now owns four career grass-court titles. A perfect preparation for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday June 29, with Keys never managing to go beyond the quarterfinals at the All England Club.
She will face compatriot Kayla Day in the first round on Tuesday June 30.
(The Whistler)