Keys reaches the Eastbourne area, Boulter drives off Ostapenko

Madison Keys © Getty Images

Defending champion Madison Keys defeated Anhelina Kalinina 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Eastbourne International on Wednesday. Katie Boulter defeated fifth seed Jelena Ostapenko.

Fourth seed Keys saved two set points, with the winners serving at 5-6 in the first set before dominating the second set against the Ukrainian qualifier.

ACE💥

No. 4 seed and defending champion @Madison_Keys moves past Kalinina in two sets!#RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/X0ZlX1RkZL

— wta (@WTA) June 26, 2024

The American will next face 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova, who is playing her first tournament in nine months after the Czech eased past qualifier Magda Linette 6-4, 6-1.

Muchova, who had not played a tournament since last year’s US Open due to a wrist injury, broke her Polish opponent in the first game.

In the opening game of the second set she broke again and built a decisive lead to 4-0.

Boulter reached the last eight by beating Ostapenko 6-4, 7-5.

The British number one, who won the Nottingham tournament on grass earlier this month, will face third seed Jasmine Paolini or Belgian Elise Mertens in the next round.

“Honestly, I tried to hit a little harder than they did,” Boulter said. “She hits such a good ball, so difficult to play against.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s completely in her control. I just tried to be as aggressive and consistent as possible and let her play every ball.”

Boulter raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening set before Ostapenko’s power play began to turn the tide of the match, but the British player put an end to the Latvian’s comeback attempts to win the match 6-4.

Boulter broke three times in the second set to seal the victory.

Listen to this crowd 🗣️@katiecboulter continues her impressive grass season and claims a spot in the quarter-finals!#RothesayInternational photo.twitter.com/NBQ1rxzWdn

— wta (@WTA) June 26, 2024