Tatjana Maria completes fairytale run to Queen's title
Tatjana Maria completes fairytale run to Queen's title
Maria's victory comes in what was the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973. Photo: Reuters
Tatjana Maria completed her fairytale run at Queen's Club as the German qualifier beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-4 in the final to become the oldest winner of a WTA 500 event.
The 37-year-old's victory secured the fourth singles title of her career, and her first since 2023 on the clay in Bogota.
World number 86 Maria is the first German to win a WTA 500 title since Angelique Kerber in 2018 in Sydney.
In the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973, Maria is the event's first female champion since Russia's Olga Morozova 52 years ago.
When Morozova won in west London, the prize money was just US$1,353.
Maria earned a huge confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on June 30.
The mother of two arrived at Queen's on a nine-match losing streak and had to survive two rounds of qualifying matches to reach the main draw.
Deploying her slice-heavy style to devastating effect, she stunned sixth seed Karolina Muchova, fourth seed Elena Rybakina and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys en route to the final.
Maria, who has taken two maternity breaks from the WTA Tour, has never been past the second round of any Grand Slam except Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals in 2022.
But once again she proved a formidable force on grass, brushing aside Anisimova to secure her second title on the surface as her husband and young daughters Charlotte and Cecilia watched from courtside.
"A dream come true. I came here I was never thinking I could hold the trophy at the end," Maria said.
"When we arrived my little girl said: 'Wow that's a nice trophy, so big' and I said: 'OK let's go for it, I will try to win it'. And in the end I've won it, it's incredible," she added.
"Everything is possible if you believe in it. You go your way, doesn't matter which it is but you have to keep going," she added. "I want to show this to my kids and hopefully they are proud. It's amazing."
Asked if she planned to celebrate with her family, Maria said: "For sure. This doesn't happen every week so we have to celebrate with something. I think the kids will probably want some crepes with Nutella!"
Anisimova has struggled to live up to her early success after reaching the French Open semi-finals aged 17 in 2019.
She took an eight-month break from tennis and dropped out of the top 400 after suffering with depression bought on by the scrutiny and expectations that came with being a teen prodigy.
The 23-year-old returned last year and won the Qatar Open this February, reaching a career-high 15th in the rankings before underlining her renaissance by defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach her first grass-court final.
However, Maria was too savvy on grass for Anisimova, who said: "It's incredible to see Tatjana playing at this level. To have her family here, it's super special."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we see her in the Wimbledon final. She really had me running out there today," she added. (AFP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
12 hours ago
- RTHK
Spaun wins US Open and first major with monster putt
Spaun wins US Open and first major with monster putt The 34-year-old American finished 72 holes at Oakmont on one-under par 279. Photo: Reuters J.J. Spaun sank a 65-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the US Open on Sunday, capturing his first major title despite bogeys on five of his first six holes. The 34-year-old American finished 72 holes at Oakmont on one-under par 279 after a closing two-over 72 to defeat Scotland's Robert MacIntyre by two strokes with Norway's Viktor Hovland third on 282. Well behind for most of the day, Spaun watched US leader Sam Burns and Australian Adam Scott stumble back while he charged back with four birdies on the last seven holes. Spaun, the first US Open champion to bogey the first three holes in his final round, sank a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-five 12th, a 22-foot birdie putt at 14 and answered a bogey at 15 with a clutch tap-in birdie at 17 to grab the lead before rolling in the clincher at 18. Spaun wiped tears from his eyes as spectators chanted his name when he walked off the green. The only prior PGA Tour victory in Spaun's career came at the 2022 Texas Open. (AFP)
RTHK
14 hours ago
- RTHK
Russell triumphs in Canada GP as McLaren drivers crash
Russell triumphs in Canada GP as McLaren drivers crash Russell' victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve earned Mercedes their first win on the season. Photo: Reuters George Russell secured Mercedes' first win of the season in the Canadian Grand Prix as McLaren's championship-chasing drivers crashed in the final laps of an intriguing and hectic race. The 27-year-old Briton beat close rival and four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 0.228 seconds under the safety car to claim his fourth career victory with his teenage Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli finishing third. The 18-year-old Italian rookie became the third-youngest podium finisher in Formula One history, showing composure in resisting late intense late pressure from championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who survived a collision with team-mate Lando Norris, on his way to fourth. That ensured he extended his lead in the drivers' standings to 22 points ahead of Norris who crashed into him on lap 67 of the 70-lap race, breaking his front wing as he attempted to pass on the straight. "Yep, I'm sorry," said Norris of his crash with Piastri. "It's all my bad, all my fault. Unlucky, sorry. Stupid from me." Charles Leclerc finished fifth ahead of Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg. Esteban Ocon finished ninth for Haas, marking their 200th race with a solid points finish, ahead of Carlos Sainz for Williams. Russell was delighted to deliver his team's first win since the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year. "It's amazing to be back on the top step. The last time was Vegas and last year here felt like it was a victory lost. But today we obviously got the victory thanks to that incredible pole lap and I am so happy to see Kimi on the podium as well," Russell said. Verstappen was quick to congratulate both Mercedes drivers. "It was quite a good race although we were struggling on the tyres in the first two stints," he added. "We had an aggressive strategy and we managed to hang in there – and this was the maximum possible for us today." Antonelli was greeted enthusiastically by the big crowd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with his name chanted as he took his podium place. "It was so stressful," he said. "But I am super happy! I had a good start, managed to jump to P3, and just stayed up there in the front. I am so happy to bring this podium home." The top six were all on mediums when the lights went out, Russell reacting quickest to pull clear while Antonelli passed Piastri for third. Verstappen clung on to Russell's early pace, staying within a second of him throughout the opening five laps, and three clear of Antonelli, as he tried to put him under pressure, but by lap seven the Mercedes was 1.5 seconds clear. By lap 10, it was two seconds as the Dutchman eased to save his tyres before pitting early on lap 13, for hards. This promoted Antonelli to P2 behind Russell with Piastri third ahead of Hamilton, Norris and Alonso. Verstappen rejoined ninth as Russell reacted and pitted, returning in seventh on hards before Antonelli pitted from the lead on lap 15 leaving Piastri leading Norris in a McLaren 1-2. Piastri pitted on lap 17 for hards, gifting Norris the lead after starting seventh on hards. After a bright start, Hamilton pitted on lap 16 and came out trapped 10th in traffic, with reported damage to his car, that delayed his pursuit before Russell, on lap 26, swept past Leclerc for second. Two laps later, Leclerc pitted for more hards followed by Norris, who took mediums. "I don't understand this choice," complained Leclerc, knowing it meant he had to pit again. All this restored Russell and Verstappen to lead again ahead of Antonelli and Piastri with Norris charging in fifth, ahead of the two Ferraris. Verstappen was early to pit again, on lap 37, but with a fast out-lap passed Antonelli, as Mercedes responded in vain to the Red Bull under-cut and began the second stops. Only five seconds separated the top four as they began a furious final 10-lap dash to the flag that resulted in the McLarens battling wheel-to-wheel for fourth place near the end when Norris hit the rear of his team-mate's car and crashed out of the race. (AFP)
RTHK
14 hours ago
- RTHK
Tatjana Maria completes fairytale run to Queen's title
Tatjana Maria completes fairytale run to Queen's title Maria's victory comes in what was the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973. Photo: Reuters Tatjana Maria completed her fairytale run at Queen's Club as the German qualifier beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-4 in the final to become the oldest winner of a WTA 500 event. The 37-year-old's victory secured the fourth singles title of her career, and her first since 2023 on the clay in Bogota. World number 86 Maria is the first German to win a WTA 500 title since Angelique Kerber in 2018 in Sydney. In the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973, Maria is the event's first female champion since Russia's Olga Morozova 52 years ago. When Morozova won in west London, the prize money was just US$1,353. Maria earned a huge confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on June 30. The mother of two arrived at Queen's on a nine-match losing streak and had to survive two rounds of qualifying matches to reach the main draw. Deploying her slice-heavy style to devastating effect, she stunned sixth seed Karolina Muchova, fourth seed Elena Rybakina and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys en route to the final. Maria, who has taken two maternity breaks from the WTA Tour, has never been past the second round of any Grand Slam except Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals in 2022. But once again she proved a formidable force on grass, brushing aside Anisimova to secure her second title on the surface as her husband and young daughters Charlotte and Cecilia watched from courtside. "A dream come true. I came here I was never thinking I could hold the trophy at the end," Maria said. "When we arrived my little girl said: 'Wow that's a nice trophy, so big' and I said: 'OK let's go for it, I will try to win it'. And in the end I've won it, it's incredible," she added. "Everything is possible if you believe in it. You go your way, doesn't matter which it is but you have to keep going," she added. "I want to show this to my kids and hopefully they are proud. It's amazing." Asked if she planned to celebrate with her family, Maria said: "For sure. This doesn't happen every week so we have to celebrate with something. I think the kids will probably want some crepes with Nutella!" Anisimova has struggled to live up to her early success after reaching the French Open semi-finals aged 17 in 2019. She took an eight-month break from tennis and dropped out of the top 400 after suffering with depression bought on by the scrutiny and expectations that came with being a teen prodigy. The 23-year-old returned last year and won the Qatar Open this February, reaching a career-high 15th in the rankings before underlining her renaissance by defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach her first grass-court final. However, Maria was too savvy on grass for Anisimova, who said: "It's incredible to see Tatjana playing at this level. To have her family here, it's super special." "I wouldn't be surprised if we see her in the Wimbledon final. She really had me running out there today," she added. (AFP)
