Shropshire starlet Gwen Klu makes her debut on the world stage with Ghana

Shropshire's Gwen Klu made a hugely impressive impact during her first experience of playing for Ghana in the Billie Jean King Cup - winning five of her seven matches.

The 16-year-old from Telford underlined her exciting potential by delivering fine performances in the World Cup of tennis.

Klu's starring role helped Ghana to eventually finish ninth in Group III Africa of the Billie Jean King Cup, with the prestigious tournament between national women's tennis teams held in Botswana.

Gwen qualifies to play for Ghana through her dad, William, who was proud and delighted with Gwen's efforts throughout an enjoyable week.

He said: "It really went well and the experience Gwen has gained now will help with her tennis career going forward.

"She played different kinds of players and players with different experiences, so it's really going to help her.

"The people were so nice, the food, the accommodation, everything was really good.

"Gwen was happy with how she played. I was so proud of her fighting spirit to keep going. I was so proud of her attitude and the way she played.

"For her to play for Ghana at this event, I was so proud of her."

Klu's busy week saw her play for Ghana in ties against Kenya, Algeria, Tunisia, Namibia and Cameroon.

The Ellesmere College student ended with a record of three wins and two defeats from her five singles matches, while she also won both of the doubles matches she played to give her an excellent overall record of five victories from seven Billie Jean King Cup matches.

On returning from Botswana, Klu was excited to head straight to the LTA Summer County Cup as part of the Shropshire women's team competing in the annual event at Frinton Lawn Tennis Club on the Essex coast this week.

Dad William added Gwen, a member of Telford Tennis & Padel Club, now plans to enter more junior tournaments on the World Tennis Tour, including one in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in September.