Warwickshire's Whiley Nets Biel-Bienne Title

Halesowen's Jordanne Whiley has made a triumphant seasonal debut on the 2010 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour after the 17-year-old British No 2 won the women's singles title at this week's Biel-Bienne Indoors in Switzerland.

A semi-finalist in the same ITF 3 Series event in 2009, world No 13 Whiley comfortably matched that performance after following up a first round bye with a 6-1, 6-1 quarter-final victory over Frenchwoman Sophie Fraioli.  The British second seed then secured a confident 6-3, 6-2 win against fast-improving German Sabine Ellerbrock in a potentially difficult semi-final to book her place in Sunday's final against local Swiss favourite Sandra Kalt.

However, after Kalt fell ill before the title decider, Whiley was presented with a walkover and left Switzerland with the winner's trophy and a healthy net gain in world ranking points.

"To win my first tournament of the season, of course I'm very happy," said Whiley.  "Things have got better as the tournament's progressed.  I played okay in my first match, although my serve was not great, but I served much better and played well in my semi, so was pleased with that and it's a nice start to my year."