Baltacha takes trophy in Nottingham

BRITISH No.1 Elena Baltacha got her grass-court season off to a perfect start with victory in the Aegon Trophy in Nottingham.

The 26-year-old Scot beat American Carly Gullickson 6-2 6-2 in yesterday's final.

The win marks Baltacha's tenth at ITF level, and she will now head to the WTA Tour event in Birmingham full of confidence.

"It is so great that I end up playing five matches and winning the tournament," she told the BBC. "Obviously, the level in Birmingham is going to be much tougher and Eastbourne tougher still, but I could not have asked for a better start. I'm really looking forward to Birmingham and Eastbourne then Wimbledon."

Baltacha, who is seeded 12th for the Aegon Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club,

had previously defeated Gullickson in the qualifying draw for the Australian Open in January but stressed: "It was not as easy as the scoreline suggests. Carly Gullickson is a very difficult player."