GB no.1 Aimee Gibson warmed up for next week’s FIP World Cup qualifier in perfect fashion by claiming the 10th Tour title of her career in Morocco on Sunday.
Playing alongside Spain’s Eugenia Guimet at the FIP Bronze Shell Casablanca, the left-hander battled searing temperatures to beat second-seeded Argentine/Italian pair Maria Laura Ferreyra and Matilde Minelli 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
Undoubtedly Gibson and Guimet’s toughest battle of the week was in the semi-finals against Spanish third seeds Ana Cristina Sanchez Perez and Natalia Molinilla Paniagua where they squeezed through 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 in three and a half hours in 37 degree heat, saving three match points en route.
It was no surprise that Aimee collapsed to the floor in relief after hitting the winning smash and briefly gasped for breath whilst she leant on the net. The world no.98 called it “probably the hardest match I think I’ve played so far in my career in terms of the conditions.”
The victory was Gibson’s first since her return from a five-month enforced break due to a calf injury in July — although she has reached three finals since the comeback in Budapest, Dublin and Westerbork, all with different partners.
After competing in this week’s FIP Silver Guimarães in Portugal, Gibson will join the GB team to prepare for their campaign at the FIP World Cup European qualifier in Madrid (22-26 September), where their target will be reaching the final two in order to qualify for November’s FIP World Cup in Doha.
“I’m really proud of winning this tournament after such a tough match in the semi-finals,” said the world no.93.
“I’m really really happy to win the FIP Bronze in Casablanca. It’s my first tournament win since my injury. I’ve got to three finals since my injury so it’s really nice to win a title again as you never know when it’s going to happen again. I’m really grateful to be feeling healthy and fit.”
