Brian Baker rises to Wimbledon occasion
America's Brian Baker, who lost six years of his career to an assortment of injuries, continued his impressive comeback on Wednesday when he qualified for Wimbledon for the first time.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: June 21, 2012 11:00 PM IST
America's Brian Baker, who lost six years of his career to an assortment of injuries, continued his impressive comeback on Wednesday when he qualified for Wimbledon for the first time.
The 27-year-old American booked his place in next week's tournament by beating Frenchman Maxime Teixeira 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in the final round of qualifying.
"It feels great and is very exciting," Baker told www.wimbledon.com.
"I started off a little slow today but I was able to turn it round pretty quickly. Once I got the first breakpoint the floodgates kind of opened up and I was able to break a lot. I had two match points. It's never easy closing it out."
Baker reached the second round of the French Open last month in what was his first Grand Slam appearance since the 2005 US Open.
"The Grand Slams are the pinnacle of tennis so it just makes it that much more special coming back and earning my way through qualies and that feels good," said Baker.