Sawt Falasteen - Keys beats Maria to clinch third Eastbourne title

Keys, seeded second, ignored sweltering temperatures on the south coast to see off the world number 112 in 93 minutes.

It was the 31-year-old's first title since she clinched her maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open last year.

Keys joins an illustrious group of three-time champions on the Eastbourne grass, alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

In her first final since finishing as the Trophee Clarins runner-up in Paris in May, the world number 27 avenged a semi-final defeat against Maria on grass at Queen's Club last year.

Keys' first WTA title came at Eastbourne 12 years ago and she won a second in 2023.

She maintained her dominance at the event, securing an 11th title on the women's tour in her 16th career final.

She was in charge throughout against the 38-year-old Maria and faced just one break point.

Having also won the Birmingham event 10 years ago, Keys now owns four career grass-court titles.

It was the perfect preparation for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, with Keys never managing to go beyond the quarter-finals at the All England Club.

She will face compatriot Kayla Day in the first round on Tuesday.

B.Khalifa--SF-PST