Second Jackpot For Pierrepont In Monte Carlo

The trans-Atlantic race by England's Suzie Pierrepont from Boston to Monaco this week proved fruitful for the 20-year-old from Sussex who claimed a qualifying place in the popular Women's Monte Carlo Classic after beating Germany's Daniela Schumann 9-6 9-1 9-2 in 28 minutes.

Earlier in the week, Pierrepont narrowly failed to qualify for the US Open at Harvard University - but was then offered a 'lucky loser' slot in the main draw after a seeded player's withdrawal. Within hours of losing her unexpected first round match, Pierrepont was jetting back to London, en-route to her commitment to the established WISPA World Tour event in Monte Carlo - arriving just hours before facing her first qualifying round opponent on the Cote d'Azur!

While Pierrepont is drawn to meet France's sixth seed Isabelle Stoehr in the first round, her Sussex county team-mate Linda Elriani was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Classic, which ensures that a new name will now be inscribed on the prestigious trophy.

Elriani, the 2003 champion, was making a comeback after the calf injury that she sustained in early September, but intensive treatment after a setback last week - and a failed fitness test during the weekend - meant putting back her date of return to the WISPA Tour.

"I am very disappointed to have to pull out of the Monte Carlo Classic. I was very much hoping that my injury would be okay by now, but it seems that I need another couple of weeks to hopefully get it right for the Qatar Classic and World Open. I'll miss playing Monte Carlo. The venue and hotel are great, right next to an amazing harbour. They've even increased the prize money this year which is fantastic and much appreciated by the players. Hopefully I'll be back to play it next year," said the world No6.

Top seed in the event is Vanessa Atkinson, the world champion from the Netherlands who faces compatriot Orla Noom, a qualifier, in the first round.

In Elriani's absence, England's Jenny Duncalf is the new No2 seed. The world No9 from Harrogate will be hoping for a gentle first round match against English qualifier Sarah Kippax so that she can then celebrate her 23rd birthday (on Thursday) with a quarter-final victory against either unseeded Scot Pamela Nimmo or seventh-seeded compatriot Alison Waters.

Qualifying finals:
Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt Kirsty McPhee (ENG) 9-0, 9-4, 10-8 (27m)
Karen Kronemeyer (NED) bt Camille Serme (FRA) 4-9, 9-5, 9-0, 9-2 (36m)
Orla Noom (NED) bt Aisling Blake (IRL) 9-1, 7-9, 10-8, 9-2 (47m)
Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) bt Daniela Schumann (GER) 9-6, 9-1, 9-2 (28m)