Petra Martic claimed the first grass court title of her career in stunning style in Nottingham on Saturday, beating world No. 73 Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-3 in the Aegon Trophy final.
The former world No. 42 took command from the very beginning, breaking the Czech in the first game.
Only once in 57 dominating minutes did 22-year-old Martic have to fight to save break point, at 4-2 in the second set.
For a player who considered grass her weakest surface before the tournament, the final marked a complete transformation for the Croatian as she attacked Pliskova with a big serve, speed and crafty net play – including a number deft drop shots to leave the Czech stranded.
“I have been feeling good throughout the week and playing really well,” Martic said.
“In the final, my serve was at an extremely high level and that made a real difference.
“I didn’t expect that score and it definitely wasn’t an easy match.
“The most important thing I have learned this week is that I can play good on grass, which is something I didn’t believe before.”
Pliskova admits even her finest performance of the week at the Nottingham Tennis Centre was far from enough to contend with Martic.
“I actually felt my best out there with my shots, but it wasn’t helping,” Pliskova said.
“She was playing really well, and even though I didn’t make as many mistakes as I have in other matches this week, I didn’t have a chance to play my game.”
Despite falling at the last hurdle, Pliskova insists her time in Nottingham was a resounding success in the lead-up to the Aegon Classic at Birmingham starting Sunday.
“I am not at all disappointed,” she said.
“I have had good matches and this is a good start on grass, so I’m looking forward to Birmingham next.”
In the men’s singles event, defending Aegon Trophy champion Benjamin Becker stormed into the final in 45 minutes, beating fourth seed Kenny De Schepper 6-2 7-5. The German takes on Australian Matthew Ebden in Sunday’s decider after he breezed past Bobby Reynolds of America 6-2 7-5.
Nottingham grass has brought the best out of world No. 97 Becker who was struggling with a crisis of confidence before the tournament, having not managed to string two wins together in more than four months before returning to the East Midlands.
“It feels good to win some matches, that is four in a row now and my tennis is getting better with every one of them," Becker said.
“I came here looking to defend my title and get some rhythm back, so to get in the final again is great for me after struggling for many months.”
It is the first final that Ebden has featured in since winning the Australian Open mixed doubles crown with Jarmila Gajdosova earlier this year.
“I perform well in finals, I enjoy the moment, the pressure and I just hope to keep doing what I’m doing,” Ebden said.
In the men’s doubles final, the third seed pairing of Jamie Murray and John Peers overcame British brothers Ken and Neil Skupski 6-2 6-7(3) 10-6.
The Aegon Trophy is the first of back-to-back events making up the Nottingham Festival of Tennis, with the Aegon Challenge starting Monday 10 June (qualifying on June 8 & 9).
Entry to both the Aegon Trophy and Aegon Challenge is free for all spectators.