Seeds progress at Aegon GB Pro-Series Gloucester

The main draw of the women’s $10k got under way on Tuesday at Oxstalls Sports Park with all eight seeds progressing to the second round.

The top seed, Japan’s Hiroko Kuwata who is currently enjoying a career high world ranking of 261, fought hard in the first set of her match against Britain’s Nicola George saving a set point at one stage. With one set under her belt the number one seed stretched her lead in the second set, breaking serve twice to win 75 62.

Britain’s Jade Windley is the number two seed this week, and another player who is sitting at a career high ranking. The 23 year old from Lincolnshire raced through the first set against fellow Brit and qualifier Farah Abdelaziz in just 24 minutes. The second set was much closer and Windley recovered from 0-3 down to win six out of seven games and clinch victory 61 64.

Other Brits moving into the second round include London’s Harriet Dart, who overcame fellow Brit Georgina Axon 64 63 and eighth seed Katy Dunne who needed three sets to beat British qualifier Lauren McMinn 26 60 60.

In the second round Dunne will face another young British player in Katie Boulter. With a current junior world ranking of 10, Boulter is making her mark on the Pro Circuit as well. The 17 year old from Leicestershire won her first doubles title in November last year and reached another doubles final this February in Thailand. In the first round she overcame Finland’s Mia Eklund 63 62.

Lucy Brown completes the British line up in the second round. The 21 year old came through a tough first round encounter with Francesca Stephenson, coming from 3-1 down in the final set to win 63 57 64.

On Wednesday, local player Olivia Horn is in action in the second round of the doubles event. Gloucestershire’s Horn reached the final round of singles qualifying before losing on Monday in a very tight match to Lancashire’s Beth Askew, 76(3) 76(2). In the doubles Horn is partnerning Farah Abdelaziz and the pair are taking on the top seeds, scheduled on court this afternoon.

Play starts at 10am on Wednesday with entry free to spectators.  

Oxstalls Sports Park
Darren.Morris@aspiretrust.org.uk
01452 396969

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