Tennis: Baker wins in Japan

New Zealand's Leanne Baker scored a good win to make the second round of the singles at the US$50,000 ($69,680) Gifu Challenger tennis event in Japan yesterday. 

Baker, who entered the tournament ranked No 516 in the world, beat No 107 Rika Fujiwara, of Japan, 7-5 6-4 in the first round.  

She now joins another New Zealander, Marina Erakovic, in the second round when she plays Yan-Ze Xie, of China. 

Baker also won her first round doubles match, teaming with Italian Francesca Lubiani as top seeds to beat Australians Daniella Dominikovic and Sophie Ferguson 6-2 6-3.  

They are due to play a Japanese pair in the quarterfinals.  

- NZPA