Tatjana Maria, a 37-year-old German qualifier, has pulled off a stunning upset at the Queen's Club Championships, defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the semi-finals. Maria's victory, with a score of 6-3, 7-6(3), propels her into the final of the first women's tournament at Queen's in 52 years. This marks the biggest final of Maria's career, a remarkable feat considering she entered the tournament on a nine-match losing streak.
Maria's impressive run at the Queen's Club has seen her knock out two Grand Slam champions in consecutive matches. Before defeating Keys, she overcame former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Her unique slice-heavy game proved difficult for Keys, who struggled to handle the low, skidding shots on the grass surface. While Keys unleashed her powerful game, hitting 41 winners compared to Maria's 11, she also committed 37 unforced errors, a testament to Maria's disruptive style.
In her post-match interview, Maria expressed her disbelief and joy, stating, "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." She emphasized the importance of perseverance, sharing, "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." Maria also highlighted the special nature of having her family and team present to witness her success.
Standing between Maria and the Queen's Club title is Amanda Anisimova. The eighth-seeded American defeated top seed Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in a hard-fought semi-final match. This win marks Anisimova's first grass-court final and her second final of the season, after capturing the WTA 1000 championship in Doha in February. Anisimova has been in excellent form, demonstrated by her victory over 10th-ranked Emma Navarro in the quarter-finals.
Anisimova expressed her happiness after the semi-final win against Zheng, "I'm so happy to be through. Every time we played, we had really tough battles. I'm really happy.” This victory propels Anisimova to a career-high ranking of No. 13 in the Live Rankings.
The final promises to be an exciting contest between Maria's crafty, slice-heavy game and Anisimova's powerful and aggressive style. Maria, who was forced to qualify for Queen's after her ranking dropped to 86, has a wealth of experience and a strong track record on grass, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022. Meanwhile, Anisimova is a rising star who is continuing to improve.
Whoever emerges victorious will become the first women's singles champion at the Queen's Club in 52 years, marking a historic moment for the tournament and women's tennis. The final is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, 2025.
