Tatjana Maria will play Amanda Anisimova in the Queen's final after the pair stunned top-two seeds Madison Keys and Qinwen Zheng on Saturday.Â
After defeating Leylah Fernandez, Karolina Muchova, and Elena Rybakina, Maria added Australian Open winner Keys to her list with a 6-3 7-6 (7-3) triumph.Â
Maria was the first to secure a break in Keys' second service game, consolidating that with her serve to take a 4-1 lead before storming to the opening set in 32 minutes.
The American remained in contention after the single break in the first set that had made the difference. Both players did, however, miss a chance to break in consecutive games.Â
And Keys' error-strewn display continued into the tie-break, conceding her serve on two occasions as Maria sealed the win with a delicate backhand lob over her opponent.Â
The German qualifier wrote "OMG finals" with a smiley face on the camera lens after her triumph, before telling the crowd: "I cannot believe it, it's a dream come true.
"It's amazing to play in front of you all, such a special place. I could not wish for a better tournament to be in the final, and I'm so proud."
Maria's reward for her victory is a clash against Anisimova in Sunday's showpiece match after the American edged a three-set thriller against top seed Zheng later in the day.Â
Anisimova emerged a 6-2 4-6 6-4 victor in two hours and 13 minutes as she looks to claim her second title of the season after winning the Qatar Open back in February.Â
World number 15 Anisimova took the first set in just 37 minutes, breaking Zheng in the first and fifth games, though her opponent responded emphatically in the second.Â
The Olympic champion sent the game to a decider with a love service game in a set that saw seven breaks of serve between both players.Â
But it was Anisimova who kept her cool despite a spirited comeback from Zheng in the third set, confirming her passage to the final with another game to love.
Data Debrief: Age is just a number
Maria arrived at Queen's on the back of a nine-match losing run, but arguably saved her best display to get past Keys and seal a shot at glory on Sunday.Â
Indeed, the 37-year-old became the oldest woman to reach a WTA 500 final, which will crown a women's champion for the first time in 52 years at Queen's.Â
But she will face a stern test in Anisimova, who claimed her first victory against Zheng at the third attempt, having lost to her at the Beijing and US Open.Â
