Aegon Classic Birmingham: Naomi Broady buoyed despite defeat

The world No.111 was only just outside the cut-off for direct entry and is one of seven British players to be awarded singles wild cards.

Broady lost 6-2, 6-2 to Petra Kvitova in the second round of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham but is having a good grass-court season.

The 27-year-old had the best results of her career when she teamed up with coach Andrew Fitzpatrick in 2015.

She is currently back working with father Simon, but is planning to put the minimum of £35,000 she will earn from Wimbledon to good use.

Broady said of the wildcard: “Although I was hoping to get one, you really can never be sure. I’m just so grateful that I have got one.

“A few years ago the wildcard funded me to employ my coach and that took me into the top 100, so they really do make such a big difference.

“I hope to do the same again with my prize money from this year and I’m not too far off being back inside the top 100 now anyway.”

Kvitova has been installed as the second favourite for Wimbledon despite only playing in her second event since returning from the horrific knife attack she suffered at her home in December.

And, if the Czech can build on her current form, a third Wimbledon title does not seem out of the question.

Broady, the British No.2, matched Kvitova early in both sets but struggled thereafter.

Kvitova said: “I think I played a solid game, but I think that I do still have some things that I can improve, which is always good. It always takes some time, and it will come with time and with the practices and matches. But it was the fourth match after my comeback and I don’t think I’m playing badly.”

Barbora Strycova has reached the final in two of the last three years but will not be matching that this year after a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 loss to Australian Ashleigh Barty.

Barty was joined in the quarter-finals by her compatriot Daria Gavrilova, who defeated Katerina Siniakova 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.