Keys and Kasatkina set up intriguing women's final in Eastbourne

By Oli Dickson Jefford, Sportsbeat

Madison Keys and Daria Kasatkina set up an intriguing women’s singles final at the LTA’s Rothesay International Eastbourne after impressive semi-final victories.

Keys, who won her first ever WTA title in Eastbourne nine years ago, produced a stunning performance to defeat third seed and fellow American Coco Gauff 6-3 6-3.

It was a first grass court final in seven years for the US star, and a first final of 2023 after a mixed season to date.

Kasatkina also did not drop a set to make the final in Eastbourne for the first time, seeing off Camila Giorgi 6-2 7-5 to reach the second grass court final of her career.

Keys has won eight of the ten previous meetings between the two, but it was Kasatkina who prevailed when they met in Charleston earlier this season.

Meanwhile, rain disruption meant that the men’s final line-up is still to be decided.

Fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo is close to reaching his first grass court final, leading Mackenzie McDonald 2-6 7-5 5-2 in a match that will conclude first thing on Centre Court.

The winner of that will eventually face either Gregoire Barrere or second seed Tommy Paul, who will play their semi-final on Court 1 tomorrow.

Those matches will start at 11am, with the women’s final set to start not before 12.30pm and the men’s final not before 14.30pm.

Elsewhere, former Wimbledon champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will head to SW19 in fine form after claiming the men’s doubles crown.

The Croatian pairing defeated Austin Krajicek and Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-2 to win their third title of 2023.

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website