“It was a tough match from the beginning” Maira said post-match. “Even though I won the first set 6-1 and I was really focused about every single point.
“I was feeling well, then the rain started but I was focused I was ready to go out here. It’s never nice to end like this but I’m happy with my week for the moment and I’m happy to be in the final.”
The women’s final on Saturday will be Keys and Maria’s fifth meeting, with the former Australian Open champion leading their head-to-head so far with three wins over the German.
The world No.27 won their first meeting at Wimbledon in straight sets during her first quarter-final run in 2015 before picking up another two wins at the US Open in 2017 and in Charleston in 2019.
However, Maria came through in their most recent meeting on the grass at The Queen’s Club in 2025, winning 6-3, 7-6(3). The world No.112 made history at the event – coming through qualifying and defeating four top-15 players on her way to the title at the first women’s tournament at the club in over 50 years.
Alongside her highest career title from the HSBC Championships, Maria bagged her first WTA title on the grass in Mallorca in 2018. Her slice-heavy game is known for being a threat on the surface – she got her best Major result at Wimbledon in 2022 when she made it to the semi-final, ranked world No.103.
Keys is also a consistent force on the grass, holding a 60-23 record on the surface. As well as her three grass court titles, she’s made the quarter-final of Wimbledon twice and already made a quarter-final run this swing – she lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in Berlin.
“It’s going to be a really tough match”, Keys said of her 16th career Tour-level singles final.
“She is such a great player, and especially the grass suits her game so well. She got me last year in Queen’s, so I’ll hopefully have some revenge tomorrow. Really looking forward to another final here in Eastbourne.”
How to watch Madison Keys vs Tatjana Maria
You can watch Keys and Maria in action in the Lexus Eastbourne Open women’s singles final live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport as well as the Tennis Channel.
