SERGIY Stakhovsky was breathing a sigh of relief after winning the Fuzion 100 Ilkley Trophy.

The 32-year-old Ukrainian was handed a wild card into the main draw of Wimbledon after defeating German Oscar Otte 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the $150,000 ATP Challenger Tour event.

"At least I have slipped round the Wimbledon qualifying," admitted the popular winner, "although I am playing in the doubles qualifying with Matt Reid."

Stakhovsky, whose most notable win came at Wimbledon five years ago when he beat Roger Federer in the second round, said: "I feel great. It is the crucible of tennis."

The Ukrainian, who saved four match points in his first-round win over Britain's Liam Broady, added: "Starting from the first round, I didn't think I would be in this position but I am really happy with the way that I performed this week.

"My consistency and focus was there."

Stakhovsky looked the more natural grass-court player in a well-contested final, often employing the drop shot to make the 6ft 5in Otte come forward.

After winning the women's singles, which was played in the morning, Tereza Smitkova was in a state of shock after also being handed a wild card into the main draw at Wimbledon.

"I still cannot believe it," said the 23-year-old Czech, after defeating teenage Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) in a full-blooded encounter that lasted 2hr 25min.

Smitkova, who reached the last 16 of Wimbledon four years ago and was the first qualifier to win the $100,000 Ilkley tournament, added: "I may believe it in a few hours and it was more than I expected.

"It was a close final and I like the grass as I know how to get under the ball, but I tried not to think about the Wimbledon wild card."

The men's doubles title went to Austin Krajicek (United States) and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (India), who defeated German duo Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies 6-3, 6-3 late on Saturday night.

The all-American pairing of Asia Muhammad and Maria Sanchez won the women's doubles final which preceded it, beating Natela Dzalamidze (Russia) and Galina Voskoboeva (Kazakhstan) 4-6, 6-3, (10-1).

The weather over the nine days was the best in the tournament's four-year history and the courts were also in their best shape, with hardly a bad bounce all week.