Tatjana Maria has secured her place in the final of the 2026 Lexus Eastbourne Open after Jelena Ostapenko was forced to retire during their semifinal encounter on Friday due to illness.
The 38-year-old German, who currently holds the No. 112 ranking, was leading 6-1, 1-2 when Ostapenko, the world No. 35, withdrew, having suffered from heat stroke earlier in the week. Maria’s commanding performance throughout the match left her opponent visibly struggling.
Tatjana Maria Dominates Semifinal Before Ostapenko’s Exit
From the outset, Maria took control, fending off five break points and racing to a 3-0 advantage in the first set. Her strategic use of slicing and sharp court coverage kept Ostapenko off balance, resulting in the Lettonie committing 20 unforced errors compared to Maria’s mere three.
Ostapenko’s physical difficulties became apparent during a medical timeout at 4-1. Although she managed to break Maria early in the second set, the German responded fiercely. The match was then interrupted by a rain delay, after which Ostapenko did not return to the court, confirming her withdrawal.
Maria’s advancement to the final marks a historic milestone, making her the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history. This achievement is especially notable as it comes during her main draw debut at Eastbourne, having previously exited in the qualifying rounds in 2025.
Along her journey to the final, Maria has delivered impressive victories over higher-ranked opponents, including No. 14 Jasmine Paolini and Tereza Valentova. She now prepares to face two-time Eastbourne champion Madison Keys in the title match scheduled for this weekend.