Keys beats Maria for third Eastbourne title
Madison Keys has won her third Eastbourne title by defeating Tatjana Maria in straight sets.
Keys overcame German player Maria 7-5, 6-4, joining tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova as the only women to win the Eastbourne tournament three or more times.
The American first won at Eastbourne in 2014, marking her first WTA title, and secured her second victory there in 2023.
"I always forget how heavy this one is," Keys, 31, said with a smile as she lifted the trophy.
"It's been such a special place for me to play here in Eastbourne.
"I won my first title here many, many years ago, so to win for a third time means the world to me. To do it in front of such amazing fans is the icing on the cake."
Keys utilized her powerful serve and frequently approached the net to apply pressure on Maria, the 2025 Queen's champion, securing an early break in the first set.
While Keys was rarely challenged on her serve, she gave Maria, ranked 112th, a chance by missing two set points with double faults.
However, Keys quickly regained control, pushing Maria to deuce in the following game and breaking back before closing the set on her fifth opportunity.
In the second set, Keys had an immediate break chance, but Maria used effective sliced forehand and backhand shots to defend successfully.
Keys finally broke in the seventh game to lead 4-3 and then efficiently closed out the set and match, converting one of three championship points.
The 2025 Australian Open champion, now with 11 tour titles, did not drop a set throughout the week and has won her last five tour finals.
Looking ahead, both players will compete at Wimbledon. Keys will face fellow American Kayla Day in the first round, while Maria, a 2022 semi-finalist, will play Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva.
Muchova wins in Germany as Osaka retires injured
Karolina Muchova claimed the Bad Homburg title in Germany after Naomi Osaka retired injured during the first grass-court final of her career.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner aged 28, received treatment for an ankle injury during the first set, which she lost 6-1, before retiring one game into the second set.
Muchova's victory marks her second title of the year, and she will re-enter the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday.
"I want to say thank you to everyone who came to the match and I want to apologise for not being able to finish," Osaka said.
"Congratulations to Karolina. You're one of the coolest girls on tour and it's always really fun to play you. I hope you have the best of luck in Wimbledon."
Japan's Osaka is scheduled to start her Wimbledon campaign on Monday against France's Elsa Jacquemot, while Muchova, seeded 10th, will face Russian Anastasia Zakharova.
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