Johnson claims maiden ATP title

Nottingham - American Steve Johnson gained the best possible boost ahead of Wimbledon claiming his maiden ATP singles title on Saturday with a tough 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 victory over Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in Nottingham.

The 26-year-old Johnson, whose only previous appearance in an ATP final was last October in Vienna when he lost in three sets to durable Spaniard David Ferrer, broke Cuevas twice in the second set and end the clay court specialist's dreams of winning a grass title.

Cuevas had only won two matches on the surface prior to the Nottingham event.

Johnson, who took home a cheque for £70,600, begins his Wimbledon campaign against Tunisian Malek Jaziri on Monday.