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.
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