Rothesay Classic Birmingham 2024: Yulia Putintseva crowned champion to secure first grass-court title
• 3 MINUTE READ
The Rothesay Classic Birmingham 2024 crowned a new champion in Yulia Putintseva after her 6-1, 7-6(8) over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic led her to a first career grass-court title.
Putintseva, 29, capped off a historic week on the grass by, not only winning her first Tour-title in two years, but by also becoming the first Kazakhstani to be crowned champion in Birmingham.
“It’s been a great game,” said Putintseva as she reflected on her performance.
“I started so well and then Ajla increased her level and she was playing incredibly well, giving me no time to think or respond.”
Speaking directly to this year’s runner-up, Putintseva added, “Ajla, it’s great to see you back, especially after everything you’ve been through with all your injuries. It’s a great achievement and you really deserve this title as much as I do.”
Putintseva, who entered the tournament ranked world No.41, teed up her third WTA title tilt after dropping only one set on the road to the final.
Touching on her best-ever recorded run on the grass, the Kazakhstani No.2 said, “It’s my first [title] on grass and I don’t even know how I’m feeling because I wasn’t expecting this to happen at all.
“It’s amazing but also confusing because I usually play my best tennis on the clay, and now all of a sudden, I’m performing well on the grass, but I’ll take it!”
An early double fault from the Australian gifted Putintseva an immediate break before tripling her lead, dropping only two points on serve to blitz the opening set in 27 minutes.
Billed as an excellent front-runner, the world No.41 showcased no immediate signs of buckling under pressure, capturing six successive games to quickly reinstate her lead upon entering the second set.
However, the shackles were yet to come off for Tomljanovic who nodded towards potential redemption, earning her first break of the match to climb back from an early 2-0 deficit.
The two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist’s opening foot hold in the match buoyed her to her most convincing service game yet to bring the set back to parity as the competition heated up.
After winning her second break point of the match, Tomljanovic appeared to be on the home run to a herculean comeback, but three successive double faults allowed the Kazakhstani to march back into the set as a deciding tie-break loomed.
Tomjanovic battled back from a 4-1 deficit in the tie-break to earn set point, but the two-time Tour-level champion evaded any immediate threats of a deciding set.
After earning three Championship points of her own, Putintseva finally capitalised following a forehand caught wide from her opponent to seal the victory in one hour and 29 minutes.
Putintseva's victory at the Edgbaston Priory Club came in the wake of a stellar season, reaching multiple Masters 1000 quarter-finals in Miami and Madrid.
See all results and highlights from the Rothesay Classic Birmingham 2024
Title Partner
Official Partners
Official Supporters
