Qualifier Amelia Rajecki wins first WTA main draw

Rajecki, 22, stunned the world No. 77 with a 6-3, 6(5)-7, 6-4 win to reach her first WTA main draw.

Speaking after her win, Rajecki said: “It’s really exciting. I played a few WTA matches last summer and came very close to qualifying, so it’s great to get over the line here.

“I honestly had no expectations for this event, so it’s a nice bonus.”

Entering the event ranked 794th in the world, Rajecki is a former North Carolina State University collegiate tennis player and holds several records, including becoming the highest-ranked women’s tennis player in program history.

“As a freshman, I never thought I would reach the stats I did as a senior. I would look at the top 10 seniors on the field and wonder if that would be me one day, so to go on and break records was a full circle moment for me,” Rajecki said.

Having recently completed her senior year, Rajecki marked her return to the UK in blistering style, picking up back-to-back wins against two top 100 stars to qualify for the main draw.

The 22-year-old produced a scintillating performance in the opening round of qualifying, claiming her first top 100 win after seeing off former Acapulco champion Yafan Wang before facing the Californian in front of a host crowds.

Rajecki sealed the first set before recovering from a break in the second as he came within touching distance of a straight sets victory. But the American regained her momentum to pull ahead of the home favorite, securing the tiebreak at the fourth set point.

Down two sets apiece, the Briton showed her mental strength in the final sprint, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to win an impressive six straight games, sealing victory in two hours and 13 minutes.

Reflecting on the match, Rajecki added: “(Volynets) played very well.

“I think I was annoyed that I didn’t win the tiebreak in the second set and that put me behind in the third, but once I was 4-0 I forgot about the score and thought that you have nothing to lose.

“Plus, the crowd really helped me along the way.”

Rajecki will join his British colleagues Katie Boulter, Harriet Dartand Heather Watson in the opening round at Edgbaston Priory Club, which starts on Monday 17th June.