Lexus Eastbourne Open 2026: Former champions Madison Keys & Jelena Ostapenko race into semi-finals
• 3 minute read
Former champions Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko are leading the way into the Lexus Eastbourne Open semi-finals.
2014 and 2023 title-winner Keys has cruised into the final four without dropping a set – defeating seventh seed and fellow American McCartney Kessler in the quarter-final 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, 2021 champion and 2022 finalist Ostapenko breezed into the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Zeynep Sonmez, despite suffering from heat stroke the night before.
Both players look in strong form, competing at a tournament they love, and could be on course to meet in the final.
There are plenty of similarities to draw between the two players, who are the last seeds left in the women’s singles draw this year.
As well as being former Eastbourne champions, they’ve both previously lifted the trophy in Birmingham, have one Grand Slam title apiece, are ranked 27 and 35 in the world, respectively, and possess games well-suited to the grass.
Keys’ serve and return were on point against 2025 Nottingham champion Kessler – winning 90% (27/30) points on her first serve and 62% (11/29) points when returning her opponent’s second serve.
“I’m very happy with today’s performance,” Keys said after reaching her fourth semi-final at Devonshire Park. “I’m super excited about that all the years later and getting to play another semi-final here in Eastbourne.”
Reflecting on her match with Kessler earlier in the year at the Australian Open, Keys added, “Every match you play against someone you can take little bits and pieces, but it’s a bit different on grass. I went over a few bits from our match in January and tried to do things a bit better today and use the surface to my advantage.”
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Ostapenko’s grass court skills were also on full show against Sonmez.
The Latvian played on the front foot throughout the match – striking the ball with great power and precision to rack up 18 winners and nine aces in just over an hour and 20 minutes.
After the match, Ostapenko admitted she was unsure if she would even be able to compete today, but somehow managed to bring her best level on one of her favourite courts on tour.
“It’s always a great atmosphere on this court, I have so many great memories,” she said.
“It’s a little bit colder today, but honestly, guys (the crowd), stay hydrated, because I didn’t think I was going to play today. After the match yesterday at 10pm I had heat stroke so I felt really bad.
“I thought wow this is one of my favourite weeks and then this happened. But I’m here, I feel better, and with your support also (the crowd).”
Keys and Ostapenko will be grateful for quick finishes in the hot conditions at Eastbourne, but no doubt that tougher tests lie ahead in the following rounds.
Second seed Keys will play either 2025 HSBC Championships winner Tatjana Maria or young Czech rising star Tereza Valentova, as she continues her quest to become the third player to win the Eastbourne women’s singles three times.
Ostapenko is set to take on either Caty McNally or Petra Marcinko in her 30th career WTA semi-final.
Could one of these former winners get their hands on the coveted Eastbourne trophy once again?
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