British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Francesca Stephenson has progressed through to the women's singles second round at the AEGON GB Pro-Series in Sunderland after defeating fellow Briton Aimee Gibson.

Stephenson was leading 7-5 in the match and claimed victory after Gibson retired. Stephenson will now face Marina Melnikova of Russia.

Lisa Whybourn was leading 6-1 in her match against Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR), however the Norwegian player fought back to ultimately take the match 1-6, 7-6(0), 6-2 in one hour and 48 minutes.

Manisha Foster, Nicola George and Alexandra Walker also all suffered first round losses.

Foster was up against Anastasia Grymalska of Italy and was defeated 6-3, 6-3, Nicola George was matched against Vivien Juhaszova (SVK) and was beaten 6-2, 6-1 while Alexandra Walker lost out to Denisa Allertova (CZE) 6-1, 6-1.

The top two seeds are also out of the draw after first round upsets. The No.1 seed, Ana Floris (ITA) was beaten 6-4, 6-1 by Latvian Diana Marcinkevica in one hour and ten minutes.

Games went on serve in the first set, until Floris was broken at 4-5 for Marcinkevica to take the set 6-4. Marcinkevica raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set and then served out to take the set and the match.

Murtille Georges (FRA) beat her compatriot and No.2 seed, Victoria Larriere 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 18 minutes.

Larriere was broken in the third game of the first set, but she broke back and held to take a 4-3 lead. Georges won three games in a row to take the set 6-4. Georges then took a 5-1 lead in the second set, before serving out to take the match.

Play starts at 10am and is free to spectators.