AEGON Classic

World-class women’s tennis in a family-friendly setting

The AEGON Classic took place from 4-13 June 2011 at Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham. The tournament is one of the top events in the British tennis calendar and traditionally attracts a strong international field.

A WTA International Series event, the AEGON Classic is the year’s first opportunity for the leading players in women’s tennis to compete on grass courts. Recent winners include Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova and Na Li.

Stars of the women's game in action

There was another strong line-up for this year's tournament, including former world no. 1 Ana Ivanovic, Daniela Hantuchova and rising Chinese star Shuai Peng. They were joined in the main draw by Britain's Heather Watson (pictured), a former US Open Junior Champion, whose run into the third round meant she entered the world's top 100 for the first time - the youngest player in it.

The three top seeds all made the semi-finals alongside Sabine Lisicki, the German ranked 100 in the world. But it was Lisicki (below) who triumphed, beating Peng 6-3, 6-1 in her semi-final and then continuing her run of form to defeat Hantuchova 6-3, 6-2 in a final which had to be delayed until the Monday due to heavy rain.

It was Lisicki's first WTA title since 2009 after problems with injury and she was delighted to be awarded a wild card into the main draw at Wimbledon.

This year also saw the 30th anniversary of the tournament and to celebrate, Martina Navratilova joined the crowds at Edgbaston to watch the semi-finals on Saturday 11 June. The nine-times Wimbledon champion won here herself twice in 1989 and 1991.

About the AEGON Classic

The AEGON Classic is an important fixture on the women’s tour. In the tournament's 30-year history, it has seen many great champions compete on its courts, including Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and the first ever Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title, Na Li, the 2010 champion.

The venue, Edgbaston Priory Club, is also an LTA High Performance Centre where some of Britain’s top players receive specialist training and support as part of the AEGON High Performance Programme, to help them make the most of their talent.

AEGON: investing in the future of British tennis

As the Lead Partner of British Tennis, it’s not just the big events that we support. We’re investing in the sport at all levels, from grass roots in schools and local communities, to helping talented young players to reach their full potential and sponsoring events at all levels

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