Johanna Konta posted one of the finest results of her career on the day she became the first British woman since 1984 to be named among the Wimbledon singles seeds.
Cheered on by an ardent crowd at her hometown tournament, Konta moved into the quarter-finals at the Aegon International Eastbourne by completing a memorable comeback against two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-0.
"I’m not sure there are words big enough to describe that," she said.
The British No.1 looked sharp and accelerated ahead 5-2 but was hauled back by the Czech who powered off six games in row to lead 7-5, 1-0.
However, Konta stormed back with astute shot-making to clinch a 6-4 set to force a decider, before emphatically wrapping up the victory with a 6-0 third set.
“I definitely raised my level in that third set. I was kind of seeing the tennis ball a little bit like a football. So I kind of just went with it,” said a satisfied Konta.
“It's one of my biggest wins, even though I don't think she's in the top 10 this week. She has been a top 10 player or top 5 player for years and years and years now.
“She really is a champion, and so I am very happy with the level I was able to produce, you know, even if it didn't go my way and just keep, you know, kept plugging away throughout that whole match.”
Konta will vie with 2010 Eastbourne champion Ekaterina Makarova or Andrea Petkovic for a semi-finals spot. The duo had their match rained off with just five minutes on the clock on Wednesday.
“I think if she's playing like that, she can win it here,” declared Kvitova.
“I felt her return was pretty amazing today, definitely, and second serve, as well. So I think that she can really build up on the first one or two shots in the rallies.”
Kvitova also offered her thoughts on why so many top seeds have tumbled in the early rounds at Devonshire Park.
“I think in women's tennis, it's kind of open," said the Czech,
"I just feel that the lower-ranked players are getting better and better. So the level between the top and kind of these players are very small.
Wimbledon is such a beautiful place and a place you always love going back
“I just feel that each match what is playing it's about one, two points, the key points which sometimes it's kind of difficult to win it with the pressure and everything, with the expectation which we are really feeling from the outside and from ourselves, as well.”
Agnieszka Radwanska is the only remaining seed left in the draw from the top eight and enhanced her title credentials with a commanding win over a resurgent Eugenie Bouchard.
The Canadian was explosive at times but couldn’t maintain her attack for sustained periods in the 6-3, 6-3 contest.
“Against someone who is 3 in the world, you can't really do that. I feel like in the first set I was a bit too inconsistent on my returns. She places it well but it's not too powerful, she made it awkward for me sometimes,” added the 2014 Wimbledon finalist “For me,I had to be more solid and at least make her play.”
The top seed was thrilled by her level as she builds momentum ahead of Wimbledon. “I think that was much better match than yesterday. I think a good match from the beginning till the end.”
The Pole faces Dominika Cibulkova in the last eight after the 12th seed dispatched qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6(3), 6-3.
Monica Puig made a statement of intent by prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a noticeably high standard clash with 2009 champion Caroline Wozniacki.
“I was just praying for an ace!" reflected the Puerto Rican. "It's never easy also to close out a match when you're serving, especially when it's 5-4. You know, anything can happen, and then all of a sudden you're 5-5, fighting to get your lead back.
“I’m happy just the way I stayed with my game plan the whole way and the way that I was just extremely positive throughout the match."
Despite the defeat, former world No.1 Wozniacki feels her quest to return to top form is on the right track following her SW19 warm-up events.
“I mean you don’t climb Everest in one day,” said the Dane, who missed much of the clay season with an ankle injury. “I think I hit some really great shots today. I think baseline rallies were really good, and we really hit the ball hard and consistent and in good spots.
"I think I can just look up from here and just bring that confidence with me to Wimbledon and just hope for a good draw. Wimbledon is such a beautiful place and a place you always love going back. So it has great memories for me, and I'm excited to go down there and hopefully play some good tennis.”
Kristina Mladenovic is the next task for Puig. The world No.33 edged Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-4, 7-6(4).
“I was working on different things from the beginning of the year. Wasn't paying off as I wanted from the beginning of the year, but I'm very glad to see how it's going right now,” said the Frenchwoman.
“I’m a kind of perfectionist but when all my game is working together, like now I’m playing well, it's about calling the right shot, using the right situation, the right shot, and I commit and execute it well.”
Having taken down Madison Brengle in straight sets at Roland Garros last month, Elena Vesnina replicated the result against the American with a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory.
“I have good memories when I came in 2013 when I won the title. It was a big thing for me, especially this tournament,” explained the Russian. “You can see how many legends were winning this tournament. We have some pictures in the player lounge, and you can see Martina Navratilova, Davenport, like really big, big players winning here. Of course it gives you confidence.”
