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Fed Cup Billie Jean King Cup

Jankovic and South go through in LA


British No.4 Mel South is making the most of a lucky loser spot in the main draw of the WTA tier 2 East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles.

After losing in the final round of the qualifying tournament at the weekend, Mel South was handed a place in the main draw when second seed Serena Williams withdrew with a knee injury.

After a first round bye, the 22-year-old from Surrey beat Czech world No.66 Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-2 in the second round on Wednesday.

The victory sets her up with a third round meeting with Chinese Yuan Meng, who beat Indias 16th seed Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-3 on day three of the hard court event.

At the top of the draw, No.1 seed Jelena Jankovic opened her account with a win as she beat American Vania King 7-5, 6-2.

There were also victories for fourth seed Dinara Safina, fifth seed Vera Zvonareva and eighth seed Victoria Azarenka.

No such joy for Patty Schnyder or Nicole Vaidisova, though.

Seventh seed Schnyder couldnt cope with Ai Sugiyamas game as the Japanese player won 6-4, 7-5.

And Bethanie Mattek sent Vaidisova on her way with a 6-4, 6-0 thrashing.

At the WTA Tour tier 4 hard court event in Slovenia, third seed Caroline Wozniacki cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-1 elimination of Croat wild card Karolina Sprem.

British No.3 Katie OBrien lost her second round match when she went down 6-3, 6-2 to Russian Vera Dushevina.


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.