JULIE Pullin will bid to crack the world top 100 this year after the biggest week of her tennis career.

The 24-year-old from Hove is upbeat despite the disappointment of missing a third-round glamour clash with Jennifer Capriati at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Pullin, who started the tournament with a world ranking of 172, failed to convert a match point against Jing-Qian Yi in the second round, and said: "It hurts that I lost, and it will continue to hurt for a while, because it meant I missed an opportunity of being in the third round of a Grand Slam.

"But I must remember what I have achieved in these last few days.

"I'd have to be pretty dumb not to appreciate that. It's a great start to the year.

"It was the biggest week of my tennis career; a week of firsts. I'd never qualified for a Grand Slam main singles draw, and, obviously, never won a first round match before.

"But I did and I did it all off my own back. I had no wild cards to rely on.

"There was a little negativity from the media when I went out. I know they reflect the hopes of the nation, but I'm fine with that because I know I did my very best. I gave it everything I had.

"I found out more about myself in pressure situations. My defeat in the end wasn't about not coping with the pressure, I didn't crumble, it was just a tight match. I only got the one chance and had no luck.

"Everyone around me has been very positive and told me not to forget what I'd done and I definitely won't.

"Now I feel I can go on and get back my best ever 135 ranking and make 120 by the end of the year and then I can set my goal at crack the 100. I feel I can do it."

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