By Chris Oddo | Friday, June 19, 2014

 

19-year-old Madison Keys is into her first career final in Eastbourne, where she'll face Angelique Kerber.

Photo Source: Jan Kruger/ Getty

19-year-old American Madison Keys is loving grass-court tennis. The youngest player in the WTA’s top 50 put together a comprehensive, 6-3, 6-1, victory over Heather Watson of Great Britain to move into her first career final on Friday at the Aegon International in Eastbourne.

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Keys improves to 10-3 on grass with the victory, and assures herself a spot in the top 35 with the victory. If she reaches the final she is primed to make her top 30 debut as well as moving ahead of Venus Williams to assume the No. 3 American ranking

Watson, who became the first woman from Great Britain to reach the semifinals at Eastbourne since 1982, had her serve broken in her initial service game and was unable to recover despite earning three break point opportunities in the opening set.

After serving out the first set, Keys would take over the match in the second, breaking Watson three times on three opportunities to close the victory in one hour and one minute.

Keys won 20 of 24 first serve points on the afternoon, and saved all six break points she faced.

The American will bid for her first career title against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Kerber fought back from a set and a break down to defeat Caroline Wozniacki, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3.

Kerber struck 54 winners and won 10 of 14 points at the net to reach her 11th career final and second at Eastbourne.