Twelve Brits to contest Shrewsbury

Tara Moore and Lisa Whybourn have both qualified for the $75k event in Shrewsbury, bringing the total number of British players contesting the title to 12.

Whybourne defeated fellow Brit Nicola George 6-3 6-3 in her second round of qualifying, score, to progress to a first round main draw contest against British wildcard recipient, Stephanie Cornish.

Moore (Yorks) defeated qualifying No.2 seed Claudine Schaul (LUX), 5-7 6-3 6-3 to reach the main draw, where she will face her doubles partner Angelique Kerber, seeded No.4.

Moore was delighted to have qualified for the main draw of a $75k for the first time in her career. “I didn’t look at the rankings before I went on court so I didn’t realise that she was ranked more than 200 places higher than me,” said the 17-year-old.

“I went out and played my normal game and now I’m hoping to carry on the momentum from qualifying.”

Lucie Hradecka (CZE) and Kristina Barrois (GER) top the seedings with Elena Baltacha the highest-seeded British player at No.5, followed by Katie O’Brien at No.6.

Melanie South, Naomi Cavaday, Anna Smith, Georgie Stoop, Jocelyn Rae, Jade Curtis and Jade Windley also represent Great Britain in the main draw which kicks off at the Welti Tennis Centre on Tuesday.