Tomljanovic primed for Chatrier showdown with Paolini
Ajla Tomljanovic believes her triumph in the all-Aussie 'generation game' with Maya Joint may have provided her with the perfect preparation to down her next, more illustrious opponent at the French Open.
Tomljanovic predicted a golden future for "amazing talent" Joint after her first-round win, saying the teenager's crisp-striking, fleet-footed game reminded her of the world No.4 Jasmine Paolini, who now stands in her way.
And the evergreen Tomljanovic believes she'll have to deliver the same front-foot attacking display to down the little Italian ball of energy who reached both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals last year.
"Jasmine is like, in a sense, a more experienced and better Maya. They have pretty similar games," mused the 32-year-old Tomljanovic, looking forward to the high-profile date on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday.
"So I came off court, and the first thing my coach said was 'this is the way you have to play against Jasmine, and it's going to be very important for you to keep doing that on Wednesday'.
"So there'll be no excuses, I know how to approach it."
Tomljanovic accepts her young friend Joint, with whom she's trained a lot, is still a work in progress but she's seen enough to make her think the teenager could be hovering around the world's top 30 by the end of this year.
Her simple analysis? "Just going off of what I feel when I play her, she's just extremely, extremely good at tennis!
"We practice a lot already this year, and she's just a great person on top of being an amazing talent. So really excited for her, because I think the ceiling is really high for Maya.
"I don't see why she couldn't finish the year close to 30, 40."
As for her own form, Tomljaonvic, who looked as sharp on Monday as when she was reaching quarter-finals at Wimbledon (2021, 2022) and Flushing Meadows (2022), mused: "Really good question. I'm curious too.
"I'd be happy if I finished top 50, and I'm not being too tough on myself and not being like it's impossible. It's a good goal," added the veteran who's been as high as 32 a couple of years ago but is currently at 71.
When she's at her best, Tomljanovic can give any opponent a run for their money and Paolini, maybe still feeling a bit of a hangover after her Italian Open triumph, accepted after an "up and down" three-set opening win over Yue Yuan that she needs to improve.
For Tomljanovic is feeling good on the courts where she first made a major breakthrough as a Croatian teenager back in 2014, even before she made the move to Australia.
AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON DAY FOUR OF THE FRENCH OPEN (prefix denotes seeding)
Women
Ajla Tomljanovic v (4) Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Men
(25) Alexei Popyrin v Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
Ajla Tomljanovic believes her triumph in the all-Aussie 'generation game' with Maya Joint may have provided her with the perfect preparation to down her next, more illustrious opponent at the French Open.
Tomljanovic predicted a golden future for "amazing talent" Joint after her first-round win, saying the teenager's crisp-striking, fleet-footed game reminded her of the world No.4 Jasmine Paolini, who now stands in her way.
And the evergreen Tomljanovic believes she'll have to deliver the same front-foot attacking display to down the little Italian ball of energy who reached both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals last year.
"Jasmine is like, in a sense, a more experienced and better Maya. They have pretty similar games," mused the 32-year-old Tomljanovic, looking forward to the high-profile date on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday.
"So I came off court, and the first thing my coach said was 'this is the way you have to play against Jasmine, and it's going to be very important for you to keep doing that on Wednesday'.
"So there'll be no excuses, I know how to approach it."
Tomljanovic accepts her young friend Joint, with whom she's trained a lot, is still a work in progress but she's seen enough to make her think the teenager could be hovering around the world's top 30 by the end of this year.
Her simple analysis? "Just going off of what I feel when I play her, she's just extremely, extremely good at tennis!
"We practice a lot already this year, and she's just a great person on top of being an amazing talent. So really excited for her, because I think the ceiling is really high for Maya.
"I don't see why she couldn't finish the year close to 30, 40."
As for her own form, Tomljaonvic, who looked as sharp on Monday as when she was reaching quarter-finals at Wimbledon (2021, 2022) and Flushing Meadows (2022), mused: "Really good question. I'm curious too.
"I'd be happy if I finished top 50, and I'm not being too tough on myself and not being like it's impossible. It's a good goal," added the veteran who's been as high as 32 a couple of years ago but is currently at 71.
When she's at her best, Tomljanovic can give any opponent a run for their money and Paolini, maybe still feeling a bit of a hangover after her Italian Open triumph, accepted after an "up and down" three-set opening win over Yue Yuan that she needs to improve.
For Tomljanovic is feeling good on the courts where she first made a major breakthrough as a Croatian teenager back in 2014, even before she made the move to Australia.
AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON DAY FOUR OF THE FRENCH OPEN (prefix denotes seeding)
Women
Ajla Tomljanovic v (4) Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Men
(25) Alexei Popyrin v Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
Ajla Tomljanovic believes her triumph in the all-Aussie 'generation game' with Maya Joint may have provided her with the perfect preparation to down her next, more illustrious opponent at the French Open.
Tomljanovic predicted a golden future for "amazing talent" Joint after her first-round win, saying the teenager's crisp-striking, fleet-footed game reminded her of the world No.4 Jasmine Paolini, who now stands in her way.
And the evergreen Tomljanovic believes she'll have to deliver the same front-foot attacking display to down the little Italian ball of energy who reached both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals last year.
"Jasmine is like, in a sense, a more experienced and better Maya. They have pretty similar games," mused the 32-year-old Tomljanovic, looking forward to the high-profile date on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday.
"So I came off court, and the first thing my coach said was 'this is the way you have to play against Jasmine, and it's going to be very important for you to keep doing that on Wednesday'.
"So there'll be no excuses, I know how to approach it."
Tomljanovic accepts her young friend Joint, with whom she's trained a lot, is still a work in progress but she's seen enough to make her think the teenager could be hovering around the world's top 30 by the end of this year.
Her simple analysis? "Just going off of what I feel when I play her, she's just extremely, extremely good at tennis!
"We practice a lot already this year, and she's just a great person on top of being an amazing talent. So really excited for her, because I think the ceiling is really high for Maya.
"I don't see why she couldn't finish the year close to 30, 40."
As for her own form, Tomljaonvic, who looked as sharp on Monday as when she was reaching quarter-finals at Wimbledon (2021, 2022) and Flushing Meadows (2022), mused: "Really good question. I'm curious too.
"I'd be happy if I finished top 50, and I'm not being too tough on myself and not being like it's impossible. It's a good goal," added the veteran who's been as high as 32 a couple of years ago but is currently at 71.
When she's at her best, Tomljanovic can give any opponent a run for their money and Paolini, maybe still feeling a bit of a hangover after her Italian Open triumph, accepted after an "up and down" three-set opening win over Yue Yuan that she needs to improve.
For Tomljanovic is feeling good on the courts where she first made a major breakthrough as a Croatian teenager back in 2014, even before she made the move to Australia.
AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON DAY FOUR OF THE FRENCH OPEN (prefix denotes seeding)
Women
Ajla Tomljanovic v (4) Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Men
(25) Alexei Popyrin v Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
Ajla Tomljanovic believes her triumph in the all-Aussie 'generation game' with Maya Joint may have provided her with the perfect preparation to down her next, more illustrious opponent at the French Open.
Tomljanovic predicted a golden future for "amazing talent" Joint after her first-round win, saying the teenager's crisp-striking, fleet-footed game reminded her of the world No.4 Jasmine Paolini, who now stands in her way.
And the evergreen Tomljanovic believes she'll have to deliver the same front-foot attacking display to down the little Italian ball of energy who reached both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals last year.
"Jasmine is like, in a sense, a more experienced and better Maya. They have pretty similar games," mused the 32-year-old Tomljanovic, looking forward to the high-profile date on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday.
"So I came off court, and the first thing my coach said was 'this is the way you have to play against Jasmine, and it's going to be very important for you to keep doing that on Wednesday'.
"So there'll be no excuses, I know how to approach it."
Tomljanovic accepts her young friend Joint, with whom she's trained a lot, is still a work in progress but she's seen enough to make her think the teenager could be hovering around the world's top 30 by the end of this year.
Her simple analysis? "Just going off of what I feel when I play her, she's just extremely, extremely good at tennis!
"We practice a lot already this year, and she's just a great person on top of being an amazing talent. So really excited for her, because I think the ceiling is really high for Maya.
"I don't see why she couldn't finish the year close to 30, 40."
As for her own form, Tomljaonvic, who looked as sharp on Monday as when she was reaching quarter-finals at Wimbledon (2021, 2022) and Flushing Meadows (2022), mused: "Really good question. I'm curious too.
"I'd be happy if I finished top 50, and I'm not being too tough on myself and not being like it's impossible. It's a good goal," added the veteran who's been as high as 32 a couple of years ago but is currently at 71.
When she's at her best, Tomljanovic can give any opponent a run for their money and Paolini, maybe still feeling a bit of a hangover after her Italian Open triumph, accepted after an "up and down" three-set opening win over Yue Yuan that she needs to improve.
For Tomljanovic is feeling good on the courts where she first made a major breakthrough as a Croatian teenager back in 2014, even before she made the move to Australia.
AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON DAY FOUR OF THE FRENCH OPEN (prefix denotes seeding)
Women
Ajla Tomljanovic v (4) Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Men
(25) Alexei Popyrin v Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
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The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
At LIV and loving it, Leishman gets in the US Open mix
Marc Leishman's bunker shot splashed out of the sand, took four quick bounces and rolled straight into the hole for birdie on the long, par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. Suddenly, a name that was once no stranger to leaderboards at majors was up there once again. Not bad for a player who had every reason to wonder if he'd ever get another chance to play in one, let alone contend. The 41-year-old Australian, whose departure to LIV Golf three years ago generated few headlines but changed his life completely, shot two-under 68 at the US Open on Saturday. He made five birdies over his first 12 holes to briefly get on the leaderboard before leaving the course six shots off the lead. "I've been playing some of the best golf of my career this year," said Leishman, who is coming off his first LIV win, at Doral in April, then earned one of four spots at a US Open qualifier in Maryland this month. "The schedule sort of lends itself to be able to work on your game between tournaments, and I was really able to prepare for this tournament." This is Leishman's first major since the 2022 British Open. He is already exempt for this year's British based on a third-place finish at the Australian Open in December. His move to LIV, where tournaments do not qualify for points in the world ranking that help decide large chunks of the field in major events, left the six-time winner on the PGA Tour in limbo when it came to ever playing in golf's biggest events again. "You wonder, of course, if you're ever going to get in," Leishman said. "But there was certainly no regret. My life is as good as I've ever been right now." The $24.8 million Leishman has won since heading to LIV, to say nothing of the reduced schedule and the 54-hole tournaments, help explain that. What went missing were the all-but-automatic spots in golf's biggest tournaments that go to the PGA Tour's top performers. Leishman played in 39 of 41 majors between 2012-22. For a time, he had a knack for getting in the mix. His three top-10s at the British Open in the 2010s included a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes in 2015, before losing in a playoff eventually captured by Zach Johnson. The Aussie played in the second-to-last group on Sunday at the 2013 Masters (with fellow Aussie and eventual winner Adam Scott). "I like tough courses," Leishman said. "I like courses that separate the field, when it really punishes bad shots and rewards good shots." He had his share of both Saturday. Good: the bunker shot on 8, and a 300-yard fairway wood on the par-5 12th that set up birdie and got him to 2-over par. Bad: Three straight bogeys on 14-16, though he came back with a birdie on the drivable par-4 17th and par on No.18. Leishman left the course tied for 15th with the leaders still early in their rounds Saturday. He's well aware that a top-four finish here would add the Masters to his 2026 schedule. Either way, he is at peace with the choices he made, and where that left him — which in this case is with a late starting time in the final round of a major again. "I really enjoyed sitting down with my kids and my mates watching the Masters and the PGA," Leishman said of the year's first two majors. "I'd be more happy if people were sitting down watching me." Marc Leishman's bunker shot splashed out of the sand, took four quick bounces and rolled straight into the hole for birdie on the long, par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. Suddenly, a name that was once no stranger to leaderboards at majors was up there once again. Not bad for a player who had every reason to wonder if he'd ever get another chance to play in one, let alone contend. The 41-year-old Australian, whose departure to LIV Golf three years ago generated few headlines but changed his life completely, shot two-under 68 at the US Open on Saturday. He made five birdies over his first 12 holes to briefly get on the leaderboard before leaving the course six shots off the lead. "I've been playing some of the best golf of my career this year," said Leishman, who is coming off his first LIV win, at Doral in April, then earned one of four spots at a US Open qualifier in Maryland this month. "The schedule sort of lends itself to be able to work on your game between tournaments, and I was really able to prepare for this tournament." This is Leishman's first major since the 2022 British Open. He is already exempt for this year's British based on a third-place finish at the Australian Open in December. His move to LIV, where tournaments do not qualify for points in the world ranking that help decide large chunks of the field in major events, left the six-time winner on the PGA Tour in limbo when it came to ever playing in golf's biggest events again. "You wonder, of course, if you're ever going to get in," Leishman said. "But there was certainly no regret. My life is as good as I've ever been right now." The $24.8 million Leishman has won since heading to LIV, to say nothing of the reduced schedule and the 54-hole tournaments, help explain that. What went missing were the all-but-automatic spots in golf's biggest tournaments that go to the PGA Tour's top performers. Leishman played in 39 of 41 majors between 2012-22. For a time, he had a knack for getting in the mix. His three top-10s at the British Open in the 2010s included a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes in 2015, before losing in a playoff eventually captured by Zach Johnson. The Aussie played in the second-to-last group on Sunday at the 2013 Masters (with fellow Aussie and eventual winner Adam Scott). "I like tough courses," Leishman said. "I like courses that separate the field, when it really punishes bad shots and rewards good shots." He had his share of both Saturday. Good: the bunker shot on 8, and a 300-yard fairway wood on the par-5 12th that set up birdie and got him to 2-over par. Bad: Three straight bogeys on 14-16, though he came back with a birdie on the drivable par-4 17th and par on No.18. Leishman left the course tied for 15th with the leaders still early in their rounds Saturday. He's well aware that a top-four finish here would add the Masters to his 2026 schedule. Either way, he is at peace with the choices he made, and where that left him — which in this case is with a late starting time in the final round of a major again. "I really enjoyed sitting down with my kids and my mates watching the Masters and the PGA," Leishman said of the year's first two majors. "I'd be more happy if people were sitting down watching me." Marc Leishman's bunker shot splashed out of the sand, took four quick bounces and rolled straight into the hole for birdie on the long, par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. Suddenly, a name that was once no stranger to leaderboards at majors was up there once again. Not bad for a player who had every reason to wonder if he'd ever get another chance to play in one, let alone contend. The 41-year-old Australian, whose departure to LIV Golf three years ago generated few headlines but changed his life completely, shot two-under 68 at the US Open on Saturday. He made five birdies over his first 12 holes to briefly get on the leaderboard before leaving the course six shots off the lead. "I've been playing some of the best golf of my career this year," said Leishman, who is coming off his first LIV win, at Doral in April, then earned one of four spots at a US Open qualifier in Maryland this month. "The schedule sort of lends itself to be able to work on your game between tournaments, and I was really able to prepare for this tournament." This is Leishman's first major since the 2022 British Open. He is already exempt for this year's British based on a third-place finish at the Australian Open in December. His move to LIV, where tournaments do not qualify for points in the world ranking that help decide large chunks of the field in major events, left the six-time winner on the PGA Tour in limbo when it came to ever playing in golf's biggest events again. "You wonder, of course, if you're ever going to get in," Leishman said. "But there was certainly no regret. My life is as good as I've ever been right now." The $24.8 million Leishman has won since heading to LIV, to say nothing of the reduced schedule and the 54-hole tournaments, help explain that. What went missing were the all-but-automatic spots in golf's biggest tournaments that go to the PGA Tour's top performers. Leishman played in 39 of 41 majors between 2012-22. For a time, he had a knack for getting in the mix. His three top-10s at the British Open in the 2010s included a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes in 2015, before losing in a playoff eventually captured by Zach Johnson. The Aussie played in the second-to-last group on Sunday at the 2013 Masters (with fellow Aussie and eventual winner Adam Scott). "I like tough courses," Leishman said. "I like courses that separate the field, when it really punishes bad shots and rewards good shots." He had his share of both Saturday. Good: the bunker shot on 8, and a 300-yard fairway wood on the par-5 12th that set up birdie and got him to 2-over par. Bad: Three straight bogeys on 14-16, though he came back with a birdie on the drivable par-4 17th and par on No.18. Leishman left the course tied for 15th with the leaders still early in their rounds Saturday. He's well aware that a top-four finish here would add the Masters to his 2026 schedule. Either way, he is at peace with the choices he made, and where that left him — which in this case is with a late starting time in the final round of a major again. "I really enjoyed sitting down with my kids and my mates watching the Masters and the PGA," Leishman said of the year's first two majors. "I'd be more happy if people were sitting down watching me." Marc Leishman's bunker shot splashed out of the sand, took four quick bounces and rolled straight into the hole for birdie on the long, par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. Suddenly, a name that was once no stranger to leaderboards at majors was up there once again. Not bad for a player who had every reason to wonder if he'd ever get another chance to play in one, let alone contend. The 41-year-old Australian, whose departure to LIV Golf three years ago generated few headlines but changed his life completely, shot two-under 68 at the US Open on Saturday. He made five birdies over his first 12 holes to briefly get on the leaderboard before leaving the course six shots off the lead. "I've been playing some of the best golf of my career this year," said Leishman, who is coming off his first LIV win, at Doral in April, then earned one of four spots at a US Open qualifier in Maryland this month. "The schedule sort of lends itself to be able to work on your game between tournaments, and I was really able to prepare for this tournament." This is Leishman's first major since the 2022 British Open. He is already exempt for this year's British based on a third-place finish at the Australian Open in December. His move to LIV, where tournaments do not qualify for points in the world ranking that help decide large chunks of the field in major events, left the six-time winner on the PGA Tour in limbo when it came to ever playing in golf's biggest events again. "You wonder, of course, if you're ever going to get in," Leishman said. "But there was certainly no regret. My life is as good as I've ever been right now." The $24.8 million Leishman has won since heading to LIV, to say nothing of the reduced schedule and the 54-hole tournaments, help explain that. What went missing were the all-but-automatic spots in golf's biggest tournaments that go to the PGA Tour's top performers. Leishman played in 39 of 41 majors between 2012-22. For a time, he had a knack for getting in the mix. His three top-10s at the British Open in the 2010s included a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes in 2015, before losing in a playoff eventually captured by Zach Johnson. The Aussie played in the second-to-last group on Sunday at the 2013 Masters (with fellow Aussie and eventual winner Adam Scott). "I like tough courses," Leishman said. "I like courses that separate the field, when it really punishes bad shots and rewards good shots." He had his share of both Saturday. Good: the bunker shot on 8, and a 300-yard fairway wood on the par-5 12th that set up birdie and got him to 2-over par. Bad: Three straight bogeys on 14-16, though he came back with a birdie on the drivable par-4 17th and par on No.18. Leishman left the course tied for 15th with the leaders still early in their rounds Saturday. He's well aware that a top-four finish here would add the Masters to his 2026 schedule. Either way, he is at peace with the choices he made, and where that left him — which in this case is with a late starting time in the final round of a major again. "I really enjoyed sitting down with my kids and my mates watching the Masters and the PGA," Leishman said of the year's first two majors. "I'd be more happy if people were sitting down watching me."
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
At LIV and loving it, Leishman gets in the US Open mix
Marc Leishman's bunker shot splashed out of the sand, took four quick bounces and rolled straight into the hole for birdie on the long, par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. Suddenly, a name that was once no stranger to leaderboards at majors was up there once again. Not bad for a player who had every reason to wonder if he'd ever get another chance to play in one, let alone contend. The 41-year-old Australian, whose departure to LIV Golf three years ago generated few headlines but changed his life completely, shot two-under 68 at the US Open on Saturday. He made five birdies over his first 12 holes to briefly get on the leaderboard before leaving the course six shots off the lead. "I've been playing some of the best golf of my career this year," said Leishman, who is coming off his first LIV win, at Doral in April, then earned one of four spots at a US Open qualifier in Maryland this month. "The schedule sort of lends itself to be able to work on your game between tournaments, and I was really able to prepare for this tournament." This is Leishman's first major since the 2022 British Open. He is already exempt for this year's British based on a third-place finish at the Australian Open in December. His move to LIV, where tournaments do not qualify for points in the world ranking that help decide large chunks of the field in major events, left the six-time winner on the PGA Tour in limbo when it came to ever playing in golf's biggest events again. "You wonder, of course, if you're ever going to get in," Leishman said. "But there was certainly no regret. My life is as good as I've ever been right now." The $24.8 million Leishman has won since heading to LIV, to say nothing of the reduced schedule and the 54-hole tournaments, help explain that. What went missing were the all-but-automatic spots in golf's biggest tournaments that go to the PGA Tour's top performers. Leishman played in 39 of 41 majors between 2012-22. For a time, he had a knack for getting in the mix. His three top-10s at the British Open in the 2010s included a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes in 2015, before losing in a playoff eventually captured by Zach Johnson. The Aussie played in the second-to-last group on Sunday at the 2013 Masters (with fellow Aussie and eventual winner Adam Scott). "I like tough courses," Leishman said. "I like courses that separate the field, when it really punishes bad shots and rewards good shots." He had his share of both Saturday. Good: the bunker shot on 8, and a 300-yard fairway wood on the par-5 12th that set up birdie and got him to 2-over par. Bad: Three straight bogeys on 14-16, though he came back with a birdie on the drivable par-4 17th and par on No.18. Leishman left the course tied for 15th with the leaders still early in their rounds Saturday. He's well aware that a top-four finish here would add the Masters to his 2026 schedule. Either way, he is at peace with the choices he made, and where that left him — which in this case is with a late starting time in the final round of a major again. "I really enjoyed sitting down with my kids and my mates watching the Masters and the PGA," Leishman said of the year's first two majors. "I'd be more happy if people were sitting down watching me."
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
37-year-old mum-of-two stuns Keys in Queen's tennis
Tatjana Maria, a mother-of-two who keeps defying the odds in her remarkable tennis career, has moved into her biggest final by stunning Australian Open champion Madison Keys at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships. The unseeded Maria came into the tournament carrying the burden of nine straight losses with many wondering if the 37-year-old was a spent force. But she put those doubts to bed on the lush green surface at the Andy Murray Arena, where she has now knocked out two grand slam champions in back-to-back matches. Having upset former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, Maria will now play Amanda Anisimova for the trophy after defeating second seed Keys 6-3 7-6 (7-3) American Anisimova defeated China's top seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the other semi-final. "Oh my God, to be honest, I cannot believe it. It's a dream come true. It's amazing to play here in front of you all, it's such a special place. I could not wish a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so, so proud," a smiling Maria said. "You never can stop, doesn't matter how it goes. I think I'm a really good example for this. I had my ups and downs, but you always have to keep going. "I love to play tennis. I love this sport and we live for these special moments. That's why it's amazing... To be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that they are here and watching me. We live this dream together." Keys unleashed raw power, hammering 41 winners to Maria's modest 11. But the German countered with crafty low slices that skidded treacherously off the grass, forcing the American second seed into 37 unforced errors while committing just six herself. Anisimova moved into her first grasscourt final after a roller-coaster victory over Zheng, who had beaten her twice last year. In the week's other major grass-court event at Rosmalen in the Netherlands, Belgian third seed Elise Mertens dug deep to save 11 match points and overcome two-time winner Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 to reach Sunday's final against qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse. "I didn't even know it was 11, after one or two I lost count," Mertens smiled. Romanian Ruse recovered from losing the first set to defeat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 2-6 6-4 6-3. Tatjana Maria, a mother-of-two who keeps defying the odds in her remarkable tennis career, has moved into her biggest final by stunning Australian Open champion Madison Keys at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships. The unseeded Maria came into the tournament carrying the burden of nine straight losses with many wondering if the 37-year-old was a spent force. But she put those doubts to bed on the lush green surface at the Andy Murray Arena, where she has now knocked out two grand slam champions in back-to-back matches. Having upset former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, Maria will now play Amanda Anisimova for the trophy after defeating second seed Keys 6-3 7-6 (7-3) American Anisimova defeated China's top seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the other semi-final. "Oh my God, to be honest, I cannot believe it. It's a dream come true. It's amazing to play here in front of you all, it's such a special place. I could not wish a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so, so proud," a smiling Maria said. "You never can stop, doesn't matter how it goes. I think I'm a really good example for this. I had my ups and downs, but you always have to keep going. "I love to play tennis. I love this sport and we live for these special moments. That's why it's amazing... To be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that they are here and watching me. We live this dream together." Keys unleashed raw power, hammering 41 winners to Maria's modest 11. But the German countered with crafty low slices that skidded treacherously off the grass, forcing the American second seed into 37 unforced errors while committing just six herself. Anisimova moved into her first grasscourt final after a roller-coaster victory over Zheng, who had beaten her twice last year. In the week's other major grass-court event at Rosmalen in the Netherlands, Belgian third seed Elise Mertens dug deep to save 11 match points and overcome two-time winner Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 to reach Sunday's final against qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse. "I didn't even know it was 11, after one or two I lost count," Mertens smiled. Romanian Ruse recovered from losing the first set to defeat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 2-6 6-4 6-3. Tatjana Maria, a mother-of-two who keeps defying the odds in her remarkable tennis career, has moved into her biggest final by stunning Australian Open champion Madison Keys at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships. The unseeded Maria came into the tournament carrying the burden of nine straight losses with many wondering if the 37-year-old was a spent force. But she put those doubts to bed on the lush green surface at the Andy Murray Arena, where she has now knocked out two grand slam champions in back-to-back matches. Having upset former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, Maria will now play Amanda Anisimova for the trophy after defeating second seed Keys 6-3 7-6 (7-3) American Anisimova defeated China's top seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the other semi-final. "Oh my God, to be honest, I cannot believe it. It's a dream come true. It's amazing to play here in front of you all, it's such a special place. I could not wish a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so, so proud," a smiling Maria said. "You never can stop, doesn't matter how it goes. I think I'm a really good example for this. I had my ups and downs, but you always have to keep going. "I love to play tennis. I love this sport and we live for these special moments. That's why it's amazing... To be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that they are here and watching me. We live this dream together." Keys unleashed raw power, hammering 41 winners to Maria's modest 11. But the German countered with crafty low slices that skidded treacherously off the grass, forcing the American second seed into 37 unforced errors while committing just six herself. Anisimova moved into her first grasscourt final after a roller-coaster victory over Zheng, who had beaten her twice last year. In the week's other major grass-court event at Rosmalen in the Netherlands, Belgian third seed Elise Mertens dug deep to save 11 match points and overcome two-time winner Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 to reach Sunday's final against qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse. "I didn't even know it was 11, after one or two I lost count," Mertens smiled. Romanian Ruse recovered from losing the first set to defeat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 2-6 6-4 6-3. Tatjana Maria, a mother-of-two who keeps defying the odds in her remarkable tennis career, has moved into her biggest final by stunning Australian Open champion Madison Keys at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships. The unseeded Maria came into the tournament carrying the burden of nine straight losses with many wondering if the 37-year-old was a spent force. But she put those doubts to bed on the lush green surface at the Andy Murray Arena, where she has now knocked out two grand slam champions in back-to-back matches. Having upset former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, Maria will now play Amanda Anisimova for the trophy after defeating second seed Keys 6-3 7-6 (7-3) American Anisimova defeated China's top seed and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the other semi-final. "Oh my God, to be honest, I cannot believe it. It's a dream come true. It's amazing to play here in front of you all, it's such a special place. I could not wish a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so, so proud," a smiling Maria said. "You never can stop, doesn't matter how it goes. I think I'm a really good example for this. I had my ups and downs, but you always have to keep going. "I love to play tennis. I love this sport and we live for these special moments. That's why it's amazing... To be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that they are here and watching me. We live this dream together." Keys unleashed raw power, hammering 41 winners to Maria's modest 11. But the German countered with crafty low slices that skidded treacherously off the grass, forcing the American second seed into 37 unforced errors while committing just six herself. Anisimova moved into her first grasscourt final after a roller-coaster victory over Zheng, who had beaten her twice last year. In the week's other major grass-court event at Rosmalen in the Netherlands, Belgian third seed Elise Mertens dug deep to save 11 match points and overcome two-time winner Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 to reach Sunday's final against qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse. "I didn't even know it was 11, after one or two I lost count," Mertens smiled. Romanian Ruse recovered from losing the first set to defeat Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 2-6 6-4 6-3.
