German qualifier Tatjana Maria has made history by reaching the Queen's final after a stunning victory over Australian Open champion Madison Keys. The 37-year-old triumphed in straight sets with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win, becoming the oldest woman to reach a WTA 500 final.

Maria, who arrived at Queen's on a nine-match losing streak, has defeated three top-20 players on her way to the final. After securing her victory, she celebrated with her husband and eldest daughter Charlotte, while her youngest daughter Cecilia slept in her pram.

"I cannot believe it, it's a dream come true," Maria told the crowd. "It's amazing to play in front of you all, such a special place. I could not wish for a better tournament to be in the final and I'm so proud."

Maria will face either Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen or American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the final, which will crown a women's champion for the first time in 52 years.

Maria took two maternity breaks from the WTA Tour and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022, just one year after the birth of her youngest daughter. Her message after shocking former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals was to "never give up."

"You always have to keep going. You never can stop, [it] doesn't matter how it goes," she said. "I've had my ups and downs but I always keep going. I love to play tennis, I love the sport and we live for these special moments - that's why it's amazing."

Keys, one of the in-form players on the WTA Tour, has won three grass-court titles on British soil but was left frustrated by Maria's slice-heavy style. Maria immediately put Keys' huge serve under pressure, finding the breakthrough in the fourth game before securing the opening set in confident style.

In a tight second set, both players saved break points before Maria sent it to a tie-break. Keys was once again left exasperated as she made a series of unforced errors, with an overcooked forehand gifting Maria four match points. She saved the first but another error handed Maria a place in her first final of the year.

Maria's two daughters often sit courtside to watch her matches, with the German saying their presence makes her victory even more special. "I love to be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that we live this dream together," she added.