Leylah Fernandez battles past Keys to reach first Eastbourne final

Leylah Fernandez impressed in a tenacious performance against Madison Keys, defeating the defending champion 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the final of the Rothesay International on her debut.

It is the Canadian’s first WTA final of the year, and her first final on grass, as she seeks her maiden 500-level title.

Keys, a two-time champion on the south coast and the current title holder, was ultimately outhit by the diminutive Canadian in an entertaining tussle.

Fernandez got off to a flying start, surging into a double-break lead before being pegged back by the American. But the single break difference was enough for Fernandez to seal the opening set before Keys hit back in the second.

The pair exchanged breaks before Keys broke again to win the second and level a competitive contest.

But it was Fernandez who proved the more tenacious in the decider, pulling out some superb shots despite consistent depth and pressure coming from across the net to earn a decisive break.

The Canadian, currently ranked No 30 in the world, showed her resolve to fend off a flurry of break points in the final game as she eventually got over the line to seal the biggest win of an increasingly impressive season.

Fernandez, ranked No 30, will play the winner of the match between Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 3 seed, and Russian Daria Kasatkina, the No 6 seed, next.

In the previous rounds of the Eastbourne tournament, the 21-year-old Canadian defeated No 7 seed Barbora Krejcikova (6-2, 3-6, 6-2), American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger (6-2, 6-1) and wildcard Harriet Dart (6-2, 6-1).

Keys, ranked No 12, won against Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina (7-6 (5), 6-1) and Karolina Muchova (W/O) earlier in the tournament.

Eastbourne WTA 500, other semi-final result (Devonshire Park Lawn Club, grass, USD 922.573):

• Jasmine Paolini vs. Daria Kasatkina