Keys beats Maria to clinch third Eastbourne title

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.

Keys, seeded second, ignored sweltering temperatures on the south coast to see off the world number 112 in 93 minutes.

A THIRD title in Eastbourne! 🏆@Madison_Keys defeats Maria 7-5, 6-4 to make it into the history books 👏#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/K7W6F0m5E1

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 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 in 2023.

Fighting hard 👊@Madison_Keys digs deep to take the opening set against Maria in this final. She leads 7-5!#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/W7khijaoRT — wta (@WTA) June 27, 2026

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 quarterfinals at the All England Club.

She will face compatriot Kayla Day in the first round on Tuesday.