New Malden’s Melanie South admitted she has learned her lesson the hard way after she failed to make the main draw of the Aegon International in Eastbourne.
The 23-year-old was just one win away from a first-round tie at Devonshire Park after seeing off American Varvara Lepchenko and Nicole Vaidisova in her first two qualifying matches.
However, South fell agonisingly short falling at the last hurdle to Russian world number 52 Vera Dushevina – who reached the final at Eastbourne two years ago – 6-4, 6-2.
Next stop for South is the All England Club in less than a week’s time – and the British number four admitted she has be given a lot to ponder prior to her annual visit to the All England Club.
“I’m a competitor so any defeat is disappointing no matter who it’s against,” said South.
“I played some good tennis and got close on a number of occasions but I didn’t serve as well as I have been.
“She returned really well and obviously loves playing on grass and it all came together for her in the end. But I’m just going to focus on Wimbledon and learn from what has happened.
“I need to stay aggressive and do some work on my serve.
"But I’m going to take a day off before to rest-up and get myself sharp and ready for the tournament.”
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