Cavaday falls at final hurdle in Wimbledon qualifying

NAOMI Cavaday has set her sights on the US Open after falling at the final hurdle of Wimbledon qualifying.

TOUGH LESSON: Naomi Cavaday's dream of another appearance at Wimbledon were dashed in the final round of qualifying at Roehampton

The 20-year-old was beaten at the third round stage in Roehampton by Russia's Vesna Manasieva, who scooped a straight sets 7-5, 6-2 victory.

Cavaday - who was beaten by champion Venus Williams as a first round wildcard last year - had been forced to qualify after her world ranking dropped to 286 following a lengthy illness.

The British number six cruised past Japan's Rika Fujiwara and Germany's Angelique Kerber to set up a tie with the world number 163.

But after finding her too hot to handle, Cavaday insists she can break her 2009 grand slam duck by qualifying for a debut US Open.

"My immediate goal is to make qualifying for the US Open because I love it out there and love the courts," said Cavaday.

"I know I'm more suited to the hard courts because I have a little bit more time to get my strike on the ball and put my opponent under pressure, so I can't wait.

"I've played well this week I just need to get the consistency right. It's about doing it in tough conditions and in places you don't want to be.

"I need to do it day after day and week after week."

Cavaday missed six months of action last year when she was struck down with glandular fever and only returned to the circuit in January.

The Kent-born player saw her world ranking drop from 183 but after insisting she is back to her best, Cavaday has vowed to end the year with a bang.

"I'd like to be at my best ranking ever at around 150," she added. "To say I'd had my best year ever would be great after I struggled at the beginning.

"I definitely see myself getting to the same point the other British women are. At times I feel like I'm playing like a top 100 player."

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