Qualifier Maria stuns Rybakina to reach Queen’s semi-finals

German qualifier Tatjana Maria upset Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 4 seed, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to move into the semi-finals of the Queen’s at Queen’s Club in London on Friday afternoon.

The 37-year-old Maria, ranked No 86 but a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, will face American Madison Keys, the second seed, next.

“I’m still here,” Maria said on court. “And I’m living this dream with my family with me. It’s a perfect example to never give up and always keep going.”

Ahead of her victory, the German defeated Canadian Leylah Fernandez (7-6 (4), 6-2) and No 6 seed Karolina Muchova (6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-1).

Rybakina, ranked No 11, won against qualifier Heather Watson (6-4, 6-2) in the previous round of the Queen’s tournament.

London WTA 500, other last eight results (Queen’s Club, grass, USD 1.415.000, most recent results first):

• Emma Navarro vs. Amanda Anisimova
• Qinwen Zheng vs. Emma Raducanu
• Madison Keys beat Diana Shnaider (5): 2-6, 6-3, 6-4