LONDON — German qualifier Tatjana Maria has described reaching the final of the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham as a "dream come true" after a stunning run that will see her face world No. 15 Amanda Anisimova for the title.
The 36-year-old Maria, ranked No. 65 in the world, battled past compatriot and No. 8 seed Laura Siegemund in a grueling three-set semifinal, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, to secure her place in Sunday’s final. Anisimova, meanwhile, cruised past Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-1 in a dominant display.
A Fairytale Run for Maria
Maria, who returned to the tour in 2018 after giving birth to her first child, has defied expectations all week. Starting in the qualifying rounds, she has now won six consecutive matches, including victories over top-50 opponents. "It’s unbelievable," she said in her post-match interview. "To be in a final at this stage of my career, after everything, it’s just amazing."
Her journey has been particularly inspiring given her late-career resurgence:
- Returned to tennis in 2018 after maternity leave
- Reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon 2022
- Now into her first WTA 500 final at age 36
Anisimova’s Dominant Form
On the other side of the net, Anisimova has been in ruthless form. The American, who took a mental health break from tennis in 2023, has dropped just one set all tournament. "I feel like I’m playing my best tennis right now," she said after her semifinal win. "It’s great to be back competing at this level."
Key Stats Ahead of the Final
The final promises to be a fascinating contrast in styles:
- Maria: Known for her crafty slice and net play
- Anisimova: Powerful baseline game with explosive groundstrokes
- Head-to-head: Anisimova leads 1-0 (2022 Melbourne)
Maria’s Emotional Reaction
Maria, who has balanced motherhood with her tennis career, fought back tears as she reflected on her achievement. "This is for all the moms out there who think they can’t do it. You can. It’s never too late to chase your dreams."
Her husband and coach, Charles-Edouard Maria, has been a constant presence in her player box. "He’s my rock," she added. "Without his support, none of this would be possible."
What’s at Stake
For Maria, a win would mark her third career WTA title and first since Bogotá in 2018. Anisimova, meanwhile, is seeking her first title since her return to the tour. The winner will also secure a significant rankings boost ahead of Wimbledon.
The final is scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 PM local time. With Maria’s resilience and Anisimova’s firepower, fans are in for a thrilling showdown.
"No matter what happens, this week has already been special," Maria said. "But of course, I’ll give everything to lift that trophy."