Gabriella Taylor: Brit hopes to make impression on first WTA tour year

Gabriella Taylor is on her first full year on the WTA tour

British tennis player Gabriella Taylor is hoping to force herself into the world's top 500 following a career-best tournament performance in Mexico.

Taylor, from Southampton, has moved up to a world ranking of 503 and is now British number 11, one place behind former number one Laura Robson.

The 18-year-old reached the semi-finals in Irapuato last month.

"It's given me a boost in my confidence and I'm hoping to keep going from here," she told BBC Radio Solent.

Taylor, who was knocked out in Wimbledon qualifying in the last two years, knows she needs to break into the world's top 200 to make this summer's qualifying without a wild card.

And she hopes her performance in Irapuato, where she beat opponents from the USA, Mexico and Russia before losing 3-6 6-3 6-2 to Canada's Francoise Abanda will be a catalyst for the rest of the season.

"It's given me a great feeling and hopefully I can push on from here," she said.

"The tour is going to be pretty hectic, but I'm looking forward to it. It's a huge step up from junior level and I know I need to be working 10 times as hard on the practice courts trying to compete.

"The ultimate goal is to reach the world's top 10. But, I've only just turned 18 and I'm going to take it step by step and stay focused."