Jasmine Paolini, the top seed at the Eastbourne Championships, was eliminated in the first round by German veteran Tatjana Maria on June 23. Maria defeated Paolini 6-4, 6-3 using her effective slice game on grass courts [1, 2, 3].
Paolini, who finished as the Wimbledon runner-up in 2024, had been using the Eastbourne event to prepare for this year’s Wimbledon tournament [1, 2, 3]. Maria, ranked 112th in the world, said she was happy to win on grass, noting her tough but friendly rivalry with Paolini: “I’m very happy the match was on grass. She is a very tough opponent and a great person off court. We see each other almost daily and my kids also like her, so it was hard to meet in the first round. My start wasn’t good but I gradually found my rhythm and I’m very happy to win the match,” she said [3].
Second seed Madison Keys won her opening match against Australian Talia Gibson 6-4, 6-4 [1, 2, 3]. Keys reflected on her long-standing connection to Eastbourne, saying, "This is the first WTA trophy I won in my career, and it has always held a special place for me. It’s incredible to still compete at a high level here after so many years" [3].
On the ATP side at Eastbourne, Italian Matteo Arnaldi lost to British qualifier Giles Hussey 6-4, 6-2. Arnaldi had earlier withdrawn from Roland Garros due to a stomach illness [1, 2]. Hussey will meet lucky loser Quentin Halys next, who entered the draw after second seed Joao Fonseca withdrew with a shoulder injury [1, 2].
At the Bad Homburg Open, Naomi Osaka advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Elise Mertens. Osaka said she enjoys playing in hot weather, adding, "I actually adapt very well to hot conditions. I really like high temperatures and even prefer this environment. A few weeks ago in Paris, it was hot and I enjoyed it, so I hope the weather gets even hotter" [3].
