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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.<\/p>\n
Her message after shocking former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals was to “never give up”.<\/p>\n
She delivered that same motto again on Saturday after making relatively light work of world number eight Keys.<\/p>\n
“You always have to keep going. You never can stop, [it] doesn’t matter how it goes,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I’ve had my ups and downs but I always keep going. <\/p>\n
“I love to play tennis, I love the sport and we live for these special moments – that’s why it’s amazing.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Maria immediately put Keys’ huge serve under pressure, finding the breakthrough in the fourth game before securing the opening set in confident style.<\/p>\n
Left somewhat stunned and shouting to her box, where husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo had some words of encouragement, Keys seemed devoid of answers.<\/p>\n
But the pair could barely be separated in a tight second set, both saving break points before Maria sent it to a tie-break.<\/p>\n
Keys was once again left exasperated as she made a series of unforced errors, with an overcooked forehand gifting Maria four match points.<\/p>\n
She saved the first but another error, with Keys missing a swipe at the net, handed Maria a place in her first final of the year.<\/p>\n
Maria’s two daughters often sit courtside to watch her matches, with the German saying their presence makes her victory even more special.<\/p>\n
“I love to be here with my family, my team. It makes it so special that we live this dream together,” she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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