Emma Raducanu stunned world No 5 Jessica Pegula to pick up the biggest win of her career at the Eastbourne International – and seal a significant rankings boost.
World No 168 Raducanu was a significant underdog against the experienced Pegula, who came into Eastbourne fresh off winning the fifth title of her career at the Berlin Open.
But the Brit turned the tables in an enthralling contest, saving a match point to stun the US No 2 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 and reach the last eight of the tournament.
It looked like Raducanu would fade after a disappointing first set, where she rallied from a double break down only to lose the final two games to Pegula.
The 21-year-old looked under the weather at times during the second set but battled her way into a deciding set, saving a match point at 6-5 in the second-set tiebreak.
With Pegula perhaps fatigued from her Berlin run, Raducanu seemed to be running away with the decider as she raced to a 5-2 lead – but twice failed to serve out the contest.
However, she broke again at 5-5 and closed it out at the third time of asking, beating a top-10 player for the first time in her career.
“I’m pretty drained right now, but I want just want to say thanks to everyone for getting me through some really difficult moments in that match,” said the Brit.
“It’s incredibly difficult when you’re playing someone who’s so in-form. Jessica, she came off the back off a great run in Berlin and there’s no doubt she’s feeling confident on the grass.
“But I’m feeling really pleased with how I managed to navigate some really tough situations and I didn’t think, to be honest, that I would manage to get myself out of it.
“I would say this match is one of the more meaningful ones for me. I’ve been going through some stuff and to come through is really nice.”
Victory for Raducanu makes her one of three British women in the last eight, the first time that has happened in Eastbourne since 1978.
And it provides her with a huge rankings boost as she looks to continue her climb back up the WTA Rankings this summer.
She is currently projected to rise to world No 135 and hold 559 points, leapfrogging ahead of fellow Wimbledon wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic.
Winning the title may be a push for her, but such a run would send her back into the world’s top 70.