Brit Naomi Cavaday is hoping her gutsy display against defending champion Venus Williams will be the springboard for future success.

Cavaday forced Williams to dig deep in a tough first set before tiring and sliding to a 7-6, 6-1 defeat.

And the British No.5 admitted she had enjoyed her day in the spotlight.

Cavaday said: "It was a great experience for me.

"I got off to a great start.

"I really just went at her - I had to give it everything I had and I gave it my best crack."

After coming close to shocking Martina Hingis at Wimbledon last year, Cavaday has endured a tough year of poor form, injury and illness.

And she hopes the worst is behind her.

She added: "The biggest thing for me is consistency with my performances.

"I can play great matches, and then my level can drop a lot.

"This is going to be a huge boost, and hopefully I can take it into the rest of the summer."

With British women's tennis enjoying a mini-revival with both Elana Baltacha and Anne Keovathong reaching the second round, Cavaday is eager to play her part.

She added: "I think we're doing fantastically well.

"Five of us in the top 200 is a great achievement.

"I think its great that I'm 190 odd and I'm ranked No.5 in Britain, where if you go back a year, I'd be No.2."