Arina Rodionova pleased with wins on grass at Surbiton Trophy
Arina Rodionova was pleased to get wins on her favoured grass under her belt despite her LTA’s Surbiton Trophy campaign ending in defeat to Alison Van Uytvanck in Sunday’s final, writes Oli Dickson Jefford in Surbiton.
The 32-year-old had been one of the last direct entrants into the main draw but went on a stellar run to the final, before being outgunned 7-6(3) 6-2 by the second seed.
Yet having beaten three seeded players in Qiang Wang, Madison Brengle and Coco Vandeweghe to reach this stage, the Australian was overall satisfied with her week.
She said: “It’s the first week on grass and it’s my favourite surface, so I’m pretty happy just being here and of course getting a few wins under the belt. Coming into the next weeks that’s always great.
“Alison is a tough opponent, so I don’t think I was the favourite - to be honest in any of the matches this week - so I’m pretty happy with the week overall.
“I think I was consistently playing better every match and today obviously the nerves came into play a little bit and I’m maybe not 100% happy with how I played but it’s tennis. You just never know what’s going to happen and I just tried to do my best every point. It’s all I can ask of myself.”
Rodionova’s grass court season will culminate at Wimbledon, where she will look to come through qualifying to reach the main draw.
However, it is a return to the ITF W100 event in Ilkley in a week’s time that will be her next port of call for singles action, after she competes in the doubles at the LTA’s Nottingham Open.
“I have been a couple of times – they have some good pubs there! The courts are a bit tricky, so it’s going to be tough but I’m looking forward to it,” Rodionova commented.
“I just want to win as many matches as I can, take it one match at a time and do my best.”
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA Website
