(Eastbourne) American Madison Keys advanced to the Eastbourne International Tournament final after beating compatriot Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 on Friday.
It was Keys’ first win against a top-10 player on grass since defeating 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, making it 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, who defeated Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5 in the final.
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.
