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Madison Keys beats Daria Kasatkina after lengthy tie-break to win Rothesay International in Eastbourne

Madison Keys prevailed in a marathon tie-breaker Saturday to win in Eastbourne for a second time, nine years from her 2014 success; Keys beat Coco Gauff in the semi-finals before defeating Daria Kasatkina in Saturday's final

Image: Madison Keys claimed a straight-sets victory at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne

American Madison Keys defeated Russian Daria Kasatkina after a lengthy second-set tie-break to claim the Rothesay International title at Eastbourne.

Keys completed a 6-2 7-6 (13) victory in one hour and 42 minutes to secure the grass-court title for the second time, having also been champion in 2014.

The world number 25 had looked in command after coasting through the opening set and had then moved 4-1 ahead in the second following another early break.

Image: Keys' victory comes nine years on from her previous Eastbourne success

However, ninth seed Kasatkina, the world No 11, rallied to break back, winning three straight games to level and then had the chance to force a third set at 6-5 up, but could not hold.

As the second set went into a tie-break, it was Keys who took the initiative, moving first 3-0 ahead and then 5-2, but, with the wind increasing, failed to convert three match point chances.

Kasatkina then had four set points of her own before Keys eventually got over the line, taking four of the last five points to secure a seventh WTA title.

The tie-break was the second-longest on the WTA Tour this year, after Petra Kvitova and Elena Rybakina played out over 30 points in the final of the Miami Open.

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uSA's Madison Keys celebrates winning the Women's singles final match against Russia's Daria Kasatkina on day eight of the Rothesay International Eastbourne at Devonshire Park. Picture date: Saturday July 1, 2023.
Image: Russia's Daria Kasatkina (left) narrowly missed out on Eastbourne victory

"I love coming and playing in Eastbourne. Being able to win the title here twice now makes me have very fond memories," Keys said on the WTA Tour website.

"It has been a pretty tough year for me, and being able to hold this trophy is absolutely amazing."

Keys is set to face British wildcard Sonay Kartal in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday, while Kasatkina, seeded 11 at the All England Club, faces American Caroline Dolehide on Monday.

Cerundolo enjoys Eastbourne victory

After rain had interrupted Friday's scheduled action in the men's draw, Argentine fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo returned to complete a comeback 2-6 7-5 6-2 victory over Mackenzie McDonald.

World No 17 Tommy Paul then got his semi-final under way against Gregoire Barrere and swiftly saw off the unseeded Frenchman in straight sets, 6-4 6-3, before losing in the final.

Cerundolo defeated Paul 6-4 1-6 6-4 in windy conditions to capture his second tour-level title, having triumphed in Bastad last year, with the victory making him the first Argentine grass court champion since 1995.

"I almost lost [on Friday], 6-2 4-1 [down]. I don't know how I managed to turn it back," Cerundolo said during the trophy ceremony. "I played a really good four points in the morning [Saturday] and I think I played an amazing final. It was super tough, super windy.

"I'm really happy to get my second title on grass. To be honest, I didn't expect it, to win a title here. But I'm really happy with the work we've been doing with my team and everyone back in Argentina because to win here, for me it's something special."

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