Surrey tennis sensation Isabelle Lacy admits she did not sleep the night before claiming the biggest win of her fledgling career.
The 16-year-old stormed to a stunning 7-6 (2) 5-7 6-1 win against world No.95 Madison Brengle at the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy.
Having fought her way through qualifying earlier this week, Lacy is now set to take on American Sachia Vickery in the last 16 on Thursday.
And despite looking cool, calm and collected against the former world No.35 on court, Lacy says she was full of nerves ahead of her first clash against a player ranked in the planet’s top 100.
“I thought I would be really nervous, but I was actually fine, the crowd were so good and they were cheering so much,” she said.
“I had my whole family there, so that was really nice.
“I tried not to look too deep into her results because I looked at the last few and I was like ‘Oh my God, she is playing all the people I used to watch on TV.’
“So, I didn’t look at that, but I was so excited to play I literally could not sleep last night because I was so excited.
“My phone went crazy and my whole family were watching, I think it was on BBC Red Button so it was also easy for my grandparents to find.
“It was really fun.
“Towards the end of the second set, I started cramping quite badly in my quads but I had to get over it and it did get a lot better in the third.”
Lacy is in the first year of her A-levels but will now look forward to an exciting summer on grass.
She added: “I have got a really exciting next couple of weeks, I actually have my exams next week so I should be working!
“I study Maths and Business, I want to finish it and I go to school five minutes from Surbiton, some of my teachers came down to watch.
“My friends don’t really know much about tennis, so whatever I do they just say I am amazing.
“But my parents were so proud, and my sister was here and she has been travelling for a few months so it was really nice to see her.
“She came back a few days ago, she loves it and is the best supporter, it is so nice having her there and she is like my best friend.”
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