Anisimova topples top seed to set up underdog final

Amanda Anisimova and qualifier Tatiana Maria will both face off in their first grass court final on Sunday after producing a pair of semi-final upsets at the inaugural edition of the WTA Queen’s club event.

Eighth seed Anisimova broke the spell of Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, with the American earning her second straight top 10 win to advance 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 over China’s world No. 5.

Zheng had twice come from a set down last season to defeat Anisimova.

Long-odds outsider Tatjana Maria booked the second grass final of her care, with the 37-year-old mother of two upsetting Australian Open holder Madison Keys 6-3, 7-6 (3).

The German qualifier – her youngest daughter asleep in a pram throughout the match – completed her third consecutive win over a top 20 opponent with the defeat of Keys in 90 minutes, saving the lone break point she faced.

Maria won her sixth straight match in west London with the semi-final victory, sending a return over the head of Keys, who swung and missed with the ball landing good in her backcourt.

The winner is the oldest woman to reach the final of a WTA 500-level event; she reached the Sunday title match with the loss of just one set after also defeating former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina and Czech Karolina Muchova.

“To be honest, I cannot believe this,” the 86th-ranked winner said. “This is a dream come true. It’s so special to play here.

“I could not imagine to be in the final, I’m so, so proud. We play for these special moments. “

Maria won a grass title in 2018 at Mallorca and played a Wimbledon semi three years ago against Ons Jabeur.

Anisimova won the opening set against Zheng but came up short in a second set riddled with five consecutive service breaks.

But the American came good in the deciding set,  profitting from her first match point as the Chinese seed drove a return wide.

Zheng lost serve seven times while Anisimova saved 10 of the 15 she faced against her serve.

“Every time we play it’s a tough battle, I’m relieved that I hung in there,” the winner said.

“(Windy) conditions were very tricky and we both struggled, but we both played some good tennis.

“I had to change things up after losing the second set, I and I’m happy that I was able to stay composed.

“I’m super happy and grateful, I’m excited to be in my first grass final.”

German Maria won the pair’s only previous meeting in Beijing in 2018, with the German known for her heavy use of the slice.

“It will be tricky on grass,” Anisimova said. “It’s incredible how she is doing, and her family is so cute. It will be a special final for both of us.”

Main photo:- Amanda Anisimova celebrates reaching Queens Final – by Mark Greenwood/Grandslam Tennis