Dominika Cibulkova is becoming a player for all surfaces after clinching the first grass court title of her career.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist showed her versatility as she beat world No.17 Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-3 to win the Aegon International Eastbourne on Saturday.
Cibulkova, who has reached four finals on four different surfaces in 2016, beamed: "It’s very hard to describe, it’s been my best ever week on grass. I can’t believe it.
"When we turned up I saw Martina Navratilova’s name 11 times on the trophy and I said to my team it would be nice to just win it once. It’s happened, now it has my name on it, so I’m very happy.
“This one is really special. It's second title of the year. I was never able to win two titles in one year. We're in the half of the season and this is my second one. So it feels just great. It's my first one on the grass.”
It shows I'm able to play on every surface. I couldn't wish for a better week
The Slovakian, who defeated No.1 seed Agnieszka Radwanska over three hours in the quarter-finals, overcame blustery seaside conditions with the wind swirling round Centre Court.
In terms of Wimbledon preparation, Cibulkova believes Eastbourne provides the perfect test.
“This tournament, I would say it's the toughest one before the Grand Slam, because everybody wants to play on grass and this is a big one. So the competition here was really strong. I was able to beat the top players on the grass, so it gives me a lot of confidence," she added.
Neither player could grasp the momentum with six breaks in the opening eight games but having held to love for 6-5 Cibulkova pounced. An astute backhand drop shot chalked up two set points and the No.10 seed fired a backhand wide to send a buoyant Cibulkova skipping back to her seat a set in front.
A magnificent forehand winner up the line and backhand pass gave Cibulkova a 3-1 advantage in the second set. The former Australian Open finalist then saved two break points to edge nearer to victory.
Cibulkova had to dig deep at one stage, when serving for a marathon 10 minutes and, thanks to some brave shot making, saved another four break points.
A first ace of the set for Pliskova forced Cibulkova to serve for the Championship and, as she completed her victory, the engaging 21-year-old dropped to her back on the baseline turf.
“To win this kind of tournament on grass, it's something really different and it shows I'm able to play really on every surface. We just changed little details with my coach, and it was really, really working. I couldn’t wish for a better week,” she said.
Cibulkova hopes that she can carry the momentum over to her Wimbledon first round, where she meets world No.56 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni on Tuesday.
“I played her once at Wimbledon (2011). I won 7-5 in the third set in a really, really tough match. In that year I played my quarter-final at Wimbledon. So if I pass that, it can be a good Wimbledon for me.”
The serve of Pliskova is usually a brutal weapon but she struggled to take the initiative in the conditions.
“It was probably the biggest mistake from my side, the serving, because I didn't do many aces, not many free points from the serve, which I need sometimes and especially against her. She's hitting so big from the baseline, and almost without mistakes,” reflected Pliskova, who faces Yanina Wickmayer on Monday.
“It was just so windy but the second set was better. I saw the statistics, I was 80 per cent of the first serve the second set and I still lost. But she didn't let me play my game. She was playing aggressive and going for my serves, so she deserves the trophy.”
