(Eastbourne) American Madison Keys qualified for the final of the Eastbourne International tournament after beating compatriot Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 on Friday.
It was Keys’ first victory against a player from the top 10 in the world on grass since winning against Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final at Eastbourne in 2014.
Keys took control of the first set after snatching Gauff’s serve to build a 3-2 lead in this preseason tournament ahead of Wimbledon. After ignoring a break point against her the very next game, Keys finished the set with another break.
Another break early in the second set gave Gauff a 2-1 lead. However, she lost her lead by committing three consecutive double faults in the next game. Keys then took the opportunity to break it, bringing the score to 5-3 in her favor, then she sealed the outcome of the meeting with her fourth match point.
Keys will face ninth seed Daria Kasatkina in the final, who defeated Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5.
On the men’s side, fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo was on his way to knocking out American Mackenzie McDonald when rain broke their duel. Ceundolo led 2-6, 7-5 and 5-2 when play ceased.
This duel will resume on Saturday morning, when Tommy Paul will cross swords with Frenchman Grégoire Barrère in the other semi-final.