Gajdosova wins Aegon Nottingham Challenge title and claims Wimbledon wild card

Sunday, June 15, 2014

 Pictured:  Jarmila Gajdosova with the Aegon Nottingham Challenge trophy. (Copyright free images) 

Former World No. 25 Jarmila Gajdosova earned a wild card in The Championships, Wimbledon after beating Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-2  in Sunday's Aegon Nottingham Challenge final.

Qualifier Gajdosova took just 54 minutes to overcome the third seed and claim her first singles title since 2011.

Victory capped off a stunning grass-court return after a two year absence, with the World No. 223 winning 12 matches in eight days on the way to also claiming the doubles crown with fellow Australian Arina Rodionova on Saturday.

It was the most intensive week Gajdosova has had on court since recovering from mononucleosis - the virus commonly known as glandular fever - which forced her out of the game for much of 2013.

"Physically for me to hold on for 12 matches and recover every day like this was amazing," said Gajdosova.

"To win this title means a lot - it is a big thing for me. I've been waiting for this for a couple of years now.

"It has not been easy, being sick for almost a year and not knowing if I would be able to recover. Still it is very questionable, but this week proved that my health is in a good way. It has definitely been challenging, but I'm very happy to be here today to win this title."

Gajdosova, who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2010, is now hoping to again make an impression at the All England Club.

"I will definitely try play the way that I have been here in Nottingham. With a kind draw I think I can do pretty well," she said.

"It's very special to get the wild card and I'm very honoured. It was something I was hoping would happen and I was doing all I could to win this event to give myself a chance."

Gajdosova became the second Australian qualifier to win a singles title at the Nottingham Tennis Centre in as many days, with Nick Kyrgios also earning a Wimbledon wild card after his ATP Challenger triumph 24 hours earlier.

Right-hander Gajdosova started strongly against Switzerland's Bacsinszky, breaking the World No. 95's first service game of the match.

Bacsinszky had a chance to respond in the next game.

However, Gajdosova coolly managed to save the only break point she faced in the entire final.

While disappointed with the defeat, Bacsinszky was delighted to reach her first grass-court decider.

"I'd definitely had a good week on grass which is a surface that I haven't played on a lot," she said.

"Jarmila played so good in that final and she really had an awesome week."

For more information, including the full draw and list of results from the Nottingham Festival of Tennis, visit  www.nottinghamfestivaloftennis.com.

 

 
 

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