Anna continued her superb recent form, qualifying for the Nantes 25K today with a 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 final round win over Italy's Elena Pioppo (ranked 411). Anna struggled with her service rhythm today, hitting 12 double faults, most of which came in a see-saw 1st set which saw both players exchange 3 breaks of serve before Anna held her nerve to eventually take it 7-5 in the tiebreak.

Anna missed 3 match points in the 2nd set as Pioppo held on, winning the tiebreak 7-2 to set up a decider. However the British teenager remained undaunted and took control immediately at the start of the 3rd, breaking 3 times to seal it 6-2.

Anna's been given an excellent chance to repeat last year's performance....faces Spanish qualifier Sara Del Barrio Aragon (ranked 415) in rd1. However, the Spaniard has been in fine form recently, winning a 10K in August and beating Sarah Borwell 6-0, 6-2 in a challenger.

On fast indoor courts I'd back Anna to take that one and then she'll probably have 8th seed Virginie Pichet so couldn't really have hoped for better.

Mel plays a Brazilian lucky loser in rd1. After a couple of days rest and treatment she feels her back injury has improved enough to hit the road again.

anna smith is one of my favourite british players. i really like her game and when she is on a roll she comes out with some cracking wons and long runs of victories

Mel South and the boss's daughter (Caroline Maes) are seeded 2 in doubles.

Anna Hawkins plays with Magali De Lattre.

They could meet in R2 (also known as the QF's!)

think she should go to sleep for a few days she must be so tired match every day for nearly two weeks

Hawkins and friend won the doubles R1 match 6-3 6-2.

They face South/Maes in QF's

Wow! Go Mel, her opponent was around 160 in the world so she must have played very good.