Madison Keys coasted into the semi-finals of the Eastbourne Open with a commanding 6-3 6-1 victory over McCartney Kessler on Thursday.

The two-time champion of the WTA 500 event put in a dominant performance over her American compatriot to set up a last-four meeting with either Caty McNally or Petra Marcinko.

Keys totally commanded the first set despite making 14 unforced errors (to Kessler's 15), firing down eight winners to her opponent's six.

She stole the advantage in game three, albeit after wasting four break points, when Kessler put a backhand into the net at the end of a long rally.

The two-time champion in Eastbourne then clinically sealed the first set, returning a second serve with a thumping shot that Kessler could only skew wide.

It was a similar story in the second as Keys broke early, converting a third break point when Kessler went wide with a backhand as her opponent went 2-0 up.

Keys broke again in game four, this time Kessler gifting her a 4-0 lead with a costly double fault and, although the second-set bagel was avoided, Keys served out to love at the first opportunity.

Ostapenko through, but almost did not play

Elsewhere, third seed Jelena Ostapenko wasted little time in defeating Zeynep Sonmez of Turkiye 6-3 6-0, in a brilliant performance.

The Latvian, champion in Eastbourne back in 2021, now has 22 main draw wins here, levelling Marion Bartoli and bettered only by Caroline Wozniacki's 29.

22 - Since 2000, only Caroline Wozniacki (29) has claimed more main draw wins in Eastbourne than Jelena Ostapenko (22, equalling Marion Bartoli). Ease.#LexusEastbourneOpen | @WTA @the_LTA pic.twitter.com/vEqtorCBjx

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 25, 2026

However, the 2017 French Open champion revealed she also did not play the quarter-final tie after struggling with heatstroke on Wednesday.

"Thanks for coming, it's always great atmosphere on this court, I have really great memories, thanks for your support," she said.

"It's a little bit colder today, but be careful, stay hydrated. I didn't think I was going to play [after Wednesday]. I had a heatstroke and felt really bad. It's one of my favourite tournaments. But I feel better [on Thursday].

"I feel like when it's hotter the court is much slower, more humid as the sea is here. I think a little bit colder is better for me."