Madison Keys produced a dominant display to defeat Barbora Strycova 6-3 6-4 in the Aegon Classic final in Birmingham and lift the Maud Watson Trophy for her second WTA title. She hit 27 winners, made only 16 unforced errors, and never really gave her Czech opponent a chance to settle as she wrapped up proceedings in 79 minutes.

Reflecting on the win, Keys said, ‘I definitely played really well, but I don't think I played the greatest match ever. I think I served well, especially when it mattered. So I'm really happy with my performance.’ She also got the chance to once again showcase some of the maturity that has been so impressive in her on-court demeanour throughout the whole week. She said, ‘In the second set, she raised her level. There were a couple of games, especially when I was serving, that I really had to dig deep and figure it out. Luckily, I was able to. (Eventually) I think she played one not-great game and that's when I was able to break her.’

The American, who will be inside the world’s top 10 for the first time when the rankings are updated on Monday, will be hoping she can repeat what Maria Sharapova did in 2004 and win Wimbledon after triumphing in Birmingham. Keys said, ‘(This win) definitely gives me some confidence and I would love to follow this one up with (success at Wimbledon). It feels good knowing that a lot of people who have done well here have done well at Wimbledon.’ If she does win at SW19, she will become the first American to win both tournaments in her career since Lindsay Davenport won at the Edgbaston Priory Club in 2001.

Keys is also glad of the match practice she’s had this week, particularly since it was on grass. She said, ‘Getting this many matches in a row was a huge opportunity that I think that can definitely help me at Wimbledon. I obviously really love the surface, so the more I get to play on it, the happier I am.’ Keys’ win today means both her WTA titles wins to date have come on grass, and she said the Birmingham and Eastbourne tournaments ‘both have a special place in my heart.’

Another aspect of Keys’ game that was working well today was her net play, since she won the point on 13 of the 18 occasions when she ventured to the net. She said, ‘I definitely tried to do that more often (today). When you're playing someone like Ostapenko, who hits as hard as she does, it's very hard to come in on that. But I think Barbora’s game draws you forward a little bit more. (Net play) is something I'm working on and trying to put it into my game.’

The American would not have been able to complete all of her matches this week without the tireless work of the Edgbaston Priory Club ground staff, and she paid tribute to them in her press conference. ‘The groundsmen were amazing this week. The fact that the court held up as well as it did, considering how much rain we got, shows how amazing they were and how much hard work they put in.’ Keys was just as amazing on court all week and looks ready to win many more titles.