Madison Keys wins Aegon International
Madison Keys has been crowned the 2014 Aegon International champion after a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Angelique Kerber.
The 19 year-old American claimed her first WTA title after one hour and 56 minutes against the world No.9 German player.
Keys, the youngest player in the top 50, started strongly and took the first set 6-3, her aggressive ground stroke game pushing back the world Kerber and forcing errors. At one point Keys' serve was clocked at 126mph, the fastest serve on the WTA tour in 2014 thus far.
The German, who finished runner-up in Eastbourne in 2012, was proving no pushover however, and broke at the beginning of the second set to open up a 3-0 lead. Keys tried to fight back, but was unable to capitalise on a number of break point chances and Kerber took the second set 6-3.
With very little between the two players, the third and final set was close throughout, with no breaks of serve until the final game which saw the young American play some fearless tennis to take the third set 7-5 as the German netted her forehand.
Martina Navratilova presented with the winner’s trophy, and Keys commented: “It’s incredible to be able to win this tournament along with so many other great players.”
Speaking after the final, Kerber added: “I think I would just take all the positive things when I going now to Wimbledon, beacause I had great, tough matches here. I am feeling good on grass, and, yeah, I'm looking forward now to the next tournament and my next chance."
Feliciano Lopez retains Aegon International title
Feliciano Lopez has claimed the 2014 Aegon International trophy after a 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-5 victory over Richard Gasquet.
The 32 year-old Spaniard retained his title in two hours and 13 minutes against the world No.14 French player.
The Frenchman has been impressive throughout the week, but was broken by Lopez in just his second service game of the match. The Spaniard, who was looking for his third Aegon International title, was relentless throughout his service games, and gave up no break points on his way to taking the first set 6-3.
The second set was proving to be a tight affair as the defending champion was broken, only to break back for 4-4.
Staying on serve for the rest of the set, a tie-break was inevitably forced. Gasquet had a 4-2 lead but Lozpez fought back, inching ahead to 5-4. However it was the Frenchman who was holding his nerve, taking the breaker 7-5.
The opening of the deciding set saw two tight games, with Gasquet missing out on some crucial breaks of serve. The match was staying with serve until the 11th game where Lopez secured a break to lead 6-5. In the final game the Spaniard needed two match points to take the title. After missing a volley at 40-15, Lopez hit a second serve ace to win the title for a second consecutive year.
Doubles
Hao-Ching Chan & Yung-Ja Chan claimed the women's doubles title at the Aegon International with a three set win over Martina Hingis & Flavia Pennetta.
Chan & Chan came past the Swiss/Italian duo 6-3, 5-7, 10-7.