Triple succes in Eastbourne

Monday was am execellent day for Brirish women in Eastbourne. In the final round of qualifying both Elena Baltacha and Katie O'brien beat higher ranked opponents to reach the first round proper. Both players have won 3 rounds of qualifying on the south coast grass courts and this will help there rankings improve going into Wimbledon. The bigggest win of the day though belongs to Melanie South. The 21 year old defeated former world number 8 Alicia Molik of Australia, coming back from losing the first set 1-6 to winning the next two 6-3 7-6. South had served for the match at 5-4 in the third but was broken and had to hold her nerve to win the deciding tiebreak. The win puts South in the second round of the tournament for the first time. Baltacha will play wildcard Anne Keothavong, guaranteeing that Britian will have 2 palyers in the 2nd round, while O'brien will play Bardina of Russia, a player beaten last week by kents Naomi Cavaday in Birmingham.