Wee Wipes Out Carla In Monte Carlo

Unseeded Malaysian Sharon Wee fought for 71 minutes on the opening day of action in the Women's Monte Carlo Classic to create the only first round upset in Monaco.

It was the last match of the first day of the ninth Monte Carlo Classic - and it was a real 'barnstormer'. Fifth seed Carla Khan was engaged in a "last man standing" battle with Wee - the Malaysian taking the ball as early as she could, always looking for the volley and counter drop. Khan, from Pakistan, was also crashing around trying to force Wee into the corners.

The match see-sawed towards an almost inevitable fifth game - and until seven-all in the decider, it was anybody's game. But Wee edged ahead by virtue of two crisp cross court drives at the end of more protracted rallies - and the 9-5 7-9 9-6 3-9 9-7 victory was hers.

"I really wanted it today", said the 27-year-old Malacca-born winner. "I've been up and down for a while, but I have now moved to Antwerp, a new environment. It's a brand new me. I'm motivated to do better," added Wee, who now meets Fiona Geaves, the No2 seed from England who brushed aside Spanish qualifier Olga Puigdemont Sola 9-6 9-2 9-1 in just 22 minutes.

Tegwen Malik, the Welsh No1 who has not enjoyed a good run recently, turned the corner after resisting a strong challenge from England's Dominique Lloyd-Walter. The seventh seed agreed that she had played her best for a while, and certainly needed to against an improving opponent.

Another happy player was nineteen year old Kirsty McPhee. Having repelled experienced French player Corinne Castets in the qualification, she made her first significant WISPA World Tour main draw. Although despatched by English compatriot Jenny Tranfield, the third seed, she was content: "It's been a good week and good experience," was her summary.

But looming over proceedings for the rest of the field is England's world number two Cassie Jackman. After beating Rebecca Botwright 9-0 9-1 9-5, the twice former champion and top seed will now face further English opposition in the quarter-finals in the form of eighth seed Alison Waters.

1st round:
[1] Cassie Jackman (ENG) bt Rebecca Botwright (ENG) 9-0, 9-1, 9-5 (25m)
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 9-1, 9-6, 9-2 (31m)
[4] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [Q] Manuela Manetta (ITA) 9-5, 9-0, 9-4 (34m)
[7] Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) 2-9, 9-6, 9-7, 9-6 (61m)
[6] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) bt [Q] Karen Kronemeyer (NED) 9-3, 9-1, 9-6 (31m)
[3] Jenny Tranfield (ENG) bt [Q] Kirsty McPhee (ENG) 9-0, 9-2, 9-0 (21m)
Sharon Wee (MAS) bt [5] Carla Khan (PAK) 9-5, 7-9, 9-6, 3-9, 9-7 (71m)
[2] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt [Q] Olga Puigdemont Sola (ESP) 9-6, 9-2, 9-1 (22m)