British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Francesca Stephenson has won through to the quarter-finals at the AEGON GB Pro-Series in Sunderland after beating Marina Melnikova of Russia 6-4, 6-3.

Melnikova broke Stephenson in the first and third games of the opening set to take a 3-0 lead, but Stephenson broke the Russian’s serve and held to pull back to 3-2. Games then went with serve until Stephenson broke for 4-4, she then held and broke again to take the first set 6-4.

In the second set, Stephenson was broken in the first game, but she then won the next five games to take a 5-1 lead. She served for the match at 5-1 but was broken and Melnikova held for 5-3. Stephenson then held serve to 15 to take the set 6-3 and the match.

Stephenson, who is also the last British player in the singles draw, will now face the number three seed, Sarah Gronert of Germany for a place in the last four.

Play starts at 10.30 am and entry is free to spectators.