Welsh rising stars take centre stage on day one of Lexus Wrexham Open

Pictured: Megan Davies, who trained at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre as a junior, was pleased to be back playing in the first qualifying round of the Lexus Wrexham Open. Picture: James Baylis.

Welsh players Megan Davies and Elizabeth Evans both featured in the first qualifying round as the Lexus Wrexham Open got under way at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre. The prestigious ITF World Tennis Tour event is being played in North Wales for the first time this week, with a good crowd watching today's opening day action from stands assembled next to the venue's indoor courts.

Davies, 23, was in familiar surroundings having been born in Wrexham, and trained as a junior at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre for 12 years from the age of four. She won the first set of her match against Ivana Sebestova, before her Czech opponent eventually progressed 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. Davies, currently studying for a Masters at Loughborough University, said: "I thought it was a great experience. So nice to play at home as this is where I started tennis. When I first went out there I felt good, started well and won the first set, so that was great.

"My opponent then obviously stepped it up, played really well, but I think it was just a great opportunity to play at that level. I've never played an event this high before, so it's good just to see the level and know what I need to work on."

Davies, who has played for North Wales and Wales on many occasions, added: "I haven't played a tournament here in maybe 10 years, so it's really, really nice to come back. I had family here, a few friends, so it's nice to play in front of a friendly crowd."

Evans, the current Tennis Wales Junior Player of the Year, lost 6-0, 7-6 to Slovakian player Kiara Zabkova, but enjoyed the experience of playing in Wales in the biggest women’s tennis tournament, outside of the grass court season, to be played in the UK this year.

Coached by Craig Ingham out of Swansea Tennis Centre and part of the Tennis Wales National Training programme, Evans said: "I had a really good match and played pretty well. The first set I struggled to convert the points, but my opponent did play really well.

"The second set I got it going a bit more, I had a bit more energy and I managed to convert more, and it was really annoying not to get the set because I had set point, but it was a really good match and I'm pleased with my performance."

Evans recalled playing at Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre a number of times over the years, including for Wales and in the Welsh Championships, and was delighted with the support she received from the crowd during her match.

"I could definitely hear them," she added. "It was really nice to be playing in Wales and the crowd was amazing. They were really cheering me on and that was really helping, especially in the tight moments, so that was really nice. It's amazing to be in this high level of a tournament.”

There were British wins on day one for Tegan Bush, Amelie Brooks, Indianna Spink and Emma Wilson. The final qualifying round matches will start tomorrow at 10am, followed later in the day by the main draw, which will be made during the sponsors' reception and players’ party at Net World Sports in Wrexham tomorrow evening.

The main draw matches begin on Tuesday.