CLARE WOOD HAS WINNING START IN FIRST ROUND OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Tennis

Clare Wood, the British No 1 from Brighton, beat Christine Newman, of the United States, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, in the first round of the women's qualifying competition for the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Monday. Wood, who must win three matches to reach the main draw, will now play the Hungarian, Virag Csurgo, in the second qualifying round today and, on present world rankings, a close match looks likely.