Hannah Klugman advanced to the second round of the Lexus Wrexham Open with a 6-2 6-2 victory over American Fiona Crawley. The 17-year-old Briton, ranked 341 in the world, also competes in the doubles with Daniella Britton.
“It was a really good match. I’m really pleased,” Klugman said.
“I started really well and I think her game really suited mine, I had some time to build the points but it definitely was closer than the scoreline, it was a great first match to win.”
Klugman reached the quarter-finals of the W100 when the tournament was previously staged in Shrewsbury. This year’s event takes place at the Wrexham Tennis and Padel Centre from October 18-25.
Blinkova fights back
Top seed Anna Blinkova came from a big deficit in the second set to beat Lithuania’s Andre Lukosiute. The French world number 72 took the first set 6-4, but Lukosiute built a comfortable 5-1 lead in the second.
With a third set looking likely, Blinkova mounted a comeback to force a tie-break. She won it 7-0 to complete a straight-set victory.
Britton loses three-set thriller
British wildcard Daniella Britton lost to Australia’s Lizette Cabrera in a three-set match that went to a final-set tie-break. Cabrera won 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-3).
Reigning champion Mimi Xu, from Swansea, is not defending her title this year. She has opted to compete at the W75 Saguenay tournament in Canada instead.
Wrexham Open schedule
Wednesday, October 21: First round singles and doubles
Thursday, October 22: Second round singles and doubles quarter-finals
Friday, October 23: Singles quarter-finals and doubles semi-finals
Saturday, October 24: Singles semi-finals
Sunday, October 25: Singles final and doubles final
Previous winners
2022: Marketa Vondrousova (Cze)
2023: Viktorija Golubic (Swi)
2024: Sonay Kartal (GB)