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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.

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

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

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

"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."