Madison Keys sent her Wimbledon rivals a warning by winning the Eastbourne International in England for the second time on Saturday, nine years after her opening win.
However, the American defeated Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 7-6 (13) in one hour and 42 minutes to claim the seventh WTA overall title and her first career title on grass since 2016.
Keys later said: “I love coming here, and playing-being able to win the title here twice now has brought back some great Eastbourne memories.” We wouldn’t have believed it if you had told both of us two weeks ago that she would be here. It’s been a tough year for me… and to be able to hold this trophy is incredible.”
What do we know so far?
As Madison Keys pointed out, the 2023 Rothesay International is the second title won by the 28-year-old at Eastbourne. In 2014, she won the British Tournament title for the first time. It was the first time she had appeared at the WTA Finals in her career.
Keys has since played one more grasscourt final in Birmingham in 2016, winning the title that year against Barbora Strycova. In the last seven years, it is the first time that she has gone so far in a tournament played on grass. Meanwhile, Daria Kasatkina has lost both grasscourt finals, the 2021 final in Birmingham and Eastbourne.
How did Madison Keys Celebrate her victory?
According to sources, a photo of Keys celebrating her victory with her fiancé Bjorn Fratangello was captured by a photographer who shared it on Twitter, showing the American kissing Fratangelo at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club. Keys edged out Tereza Martincova, Wang Xiyu, and Petra Martic to earn her place in the semifinals of the WTA 500 event. The 28-year-old faced compatriot Coco Gauff in the final round and ultimately emerged victorious in a thrilling match.
However, since 2017 Keys has been in a relationship with Fratangelo, and the couple has often been seen together supporting each other’s matches at serval tournaments. They got engaged in March 2023.
As well as, Keys, ranked 25th in the WTA rankings and now focusing on the upcoming Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament. It will take place from July 3-16, where she will face British wild card Sonay Kartal in the first round.