Naomi Broady leads British tennis charge at Welti

Some of the rising stars in women's tennis are in Shropshire this week for the AEGON GB Pro-Series – and it was British ace Naomi Broady who stole the headlines on day one.

The tournament at Welti Tennis & Leisure in Shrewsbury has prizemoney totalling US$75,000 (£47,500) and has attracted a handful of top Brits as well as some of the world's most promising emerging talents.

Stockport ace Broady, 21, was in the spotlight yesterday as she dumped out second seed and world No 89 Kristina Barrois of Germany, winning 6-3 3-6 7-6.

Broady was one of four home players to march into the second round – a quartet headed by British No 3 Heather Watson, who was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Anais Laurendon of France.

Also through was Tara Moore, who impressively beat the world No 227 Maria Joao Koehler 6-3, 7-6).

Completing the quartet was Anne Keothavong, the fifth seed, who was a 6-1 6-2 winner over Tetyana Arefyeva.

Watson and Moore face each other in the second round and were due on court at Shrewsbury earlier today, while Broady was also back in action against French player Claire Feuerstein.

Next up for Keothavong is a clash with Eirini Georgatou of Greece.

There were also round one defeats for British wild cards Yasmin Clarke, Nicola George and Lisa Whybourn.