London (AFP) – Madison Keys won the Eastbourne title for a third time as the American defeated Germany's Tatjana Maria 7-5, 6-4 in the final of the Wimbledon warm-up event on Saturday.
Issued on: 27/06/2026 - 15:26
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Madison Keys poses with the trophy after beating Tatjana Maria in the Eastbourne final © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Keys, seeded second, ignored sweltering temperatures on the south coast to see off the world number 112 in 93 minutes.It was the 31-year-old's first title since she clinched her maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open last year.Keys joins 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 semi-final 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 in 2023.She maintained her dominance at the event, securing an 11th title on the women's tour in her 16th career final.She was in charge throughout against the 38-year-old Maria and faced just one break point.Having also won the Birmingham event 10 years ago, Keys now owns four career grass-court titles.It was the perfect preparation for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, with Keys never managing to go beyond the quarter-finals at the All England Club.She will face compatriot Kayla Day in the first round on Tuesday.
