Gavrilova fights through to second round
Daria Gavrilova has produced a stirring come-from-behind victory over China's Wang Qiang to surge into the second round of Wimbledon.
From a set and a break down, the 22-year-old fought back to notch a 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory in one hour and 49 minutes on Tuesday - her first main draw win at the All England Club.
She joins Australia's top-ranked female, Samantha Stosur who won on Monday, in the second round and will face 19th seed Dominika Cibulkova, who beat Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in straight sets, for a spot in the third round.
Having been broken twice in losing the first set in 37 minutes, the Russian-born starlet was in considerable trouble early in the second when she gave up another break in the opening game.
Frustrated, Gavrilova screamed encouragement at herself and the rev-up had the desired effect - she won three games on the trot as her powerful forehand found its rhythm, leaving her with 13 winners to Wang's nine by the end.
From there she stepped up a gear and produced some exceptional defensive tennis to force a decider.
Gavrilova charged around the court to keep points alive and at one point dropped her racquet to the ground in exasperation after winning a marathon point.
She jumped out of the blocks in the third set to take a 3-0 lead and, despite dropping serve in the fourth game, Gavrilova held on for the impressive win.
