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Nature Valley Classic: Fans delighted with event despite Johanna Konta defeat - VIDEO

Defending Nature Valley Classic champion Petra Kvitova ended Johanna Konta’s has dreams of becoming the first British woman to lift the famous Maud Watson Trophy...writes Eleanor Preston.

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The two-time Wimbledon champion edged out the British No.1 in a tight two-set battle which lit up the Ann Jones Centre Court and proved to be the match of the day at the Edgbaston Priory Club.

In an encounter that might easily have been a final, Kvitova stemmed a gutsy second fightback from Konta to win 6-3, 6-4 and earn her place in the last 16 of the WTA Premier event.

Konta might have rued the luck of the draw but instead she said it had been a useful part of her preparation for Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals last year.

“I’m a firm believer in that you play certain people at certain times for a reason. I’m very happy that I had this match,” she said.

“I would have liked to have won and had another one here. But I’m very happy that I got to play someone like her in the lead-up to a tournament like Wimbledon.

“I don’t think anyone is surprised when Petra plays like that. That’s just the way she plays. I think she’s probably the only player on tour that regardless of who she plays, most of the match is going to be on her racket.

WATCH: Tennis fans impressed with high quality field at Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club

“I mean, there were moments where I laugh. I had to smile about it because I did a lot of things right and I wasn’t getting the reward for it. But I think overall I’m pleased with the level I was able to play 90 per cent of the time. It’s that 10 per cent that I want to do better at (but) that 90 per cent felt good against someone who is one of the best in the world right now.”

Konta’s compatriot Heather Watson was also knocked out by a higher ranked opponent in Lesia Tsurenko.

Watson lost 7-6, 7-5 in another close match but like Konta she too was taking positives from defeat.

“I don’t want to be too negative about it because I was really pleased with my fighting spirit, especially with the way I served,” said Watson, who will now turn her attention to doubles alongside Midlands-born Katie Boulter. “But I felt like once I start taking those points, a match can change completely the other way,”

Reigning Wimbledon champion Garbiñe Muguruza was among the winners yesterday, as was last year’s Nature Valley Classic runner-up and last year’s Nature Valley Open Nottingham champion Ashleigh Barty.

A limited number of tickets for the Nature Valley Classic are still available 0844 581 4995 (9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm)​ and at the box office at the Edgbaston Priory Club. ​