The Lexus Wrexham Open

Mondays Round Up

Tegan Bush and Indianna Spink add to strong British interest in Lexus Wrexham Open’s main draw by progressing from qualifying

Sixteen-year-old Tegan Bush and Indianna Spink added to the strong British interest in the main draw of the Lexus Wrexham Open by successfully coming through their final qualifying round matches.

Both Bush and Spink - who has been drawn to face French player Jessika Ponchet, this week’s top seed, in the first round of the main draw of the ITF World Tennis Tour event - produced excellent performances at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre.

Bush, who is from Northamptonshire and trains at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club, got the better of her much more experienced opponent, Michika Ozeki from Japan, 6-3, 6-2 in yesterday’s opening Show Court match.

Ozeki has a career-high world ranking of 433, but Bush impressed throughout to win in straight sets and will next face Jana Otzipka from Belgium, another of the qualifiers, in round one today. 

"I thought I played very well, just went for it, and dominated in the points,” said Bush. "It was a really good experience in the match itself and I just told myself before the match that she's going to come out playing very well, so I need to bring my game. 

"I'm really happy to be in the main draw - and go for it again.” 

Spink, 23, also advanced from the qualifying rounds following a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over higher ranked Mayuka Aikawa from Japan in a match which lasted just over two hours, the longest of the day.

"It was tough,” said Spink, who is from Hertfordshire. "She served really well the whole match and I just had to keep my serve going to get ahead, but she played really well. It was really tough and the rallies were long. 

"She was really good, she was solid and didn't miss much. I had to dictate the points to win the match. It was a good win and I’m happy to be in the main draw.” 

Enjoying her time playing in Wrexham, Spink added: "It's good and it's really organised.” 

Of the other British players to come through Sunday’s first qualifying round, Amelie Brooks lost 6-1, 6-4 against Demi Tran from the Netherlands, while Emma Wilson was unable to play her match owing to injury which meant Lucie Havlickova, her scheduled Czech opponent, progressed.

The stage is now set for the 16 main draw singles matches which will feature a host of British players, led by Amarni Banks and Lily Miyazaki, both currently ranked in the British top 10, and rising Welsh star Mimi Xu.

The opening round one matches in singles and doubles in the biggest women’s tennis tournament, outside of the grass court season, to be played in the UK this year, start today at 10am, with the remainder to be played tomorrow.  

Banks will face Laura Hietaranta from Finland today, with Miyazaki and Xu both playing their first round singles matches tomorrow. Miyazaki will meet Ruby Cooling, one of the British players to receive a wild card this week, with Xu drawn against third seed Justina Mikulskyte from Lithuania.

Banks and Bush are not the only Brits playing their singles matches today as Freya Christie will open play on the Show Court against Elena Malygina from Estonia, followed by Ranah Stoiber against fifth seed Raluca Georgiana Serban from Cyprus.  

Welsh players Xu, Megan Davies and Elizabeth Evans will all play in the first round of the doubles today.

Tickets to watch matches from court-side stands cost £17.50, with under-16s tickets also available priced £12, which includes a 44-page tournament programme.   

Pictured: British players Tegan Bush and Indianna Spink booked their place in the main draw of the Lexus Wrexham Open after winning their qualifying matches at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre. Pictures: Malcolm Couzens.