O'Brien claims shock win

Yorkshirewoman sends fifth seed packing in Portoroz

Last updated: 21st July 2008

O'Brien claims shock win

O'Brien: British number three

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Katie O'Brien claimed one of the biggest wins of her career with a three-set victory over Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round of the Slovenia Open.

The British number three prevailed 7-6 4-6 6-4 against fifth seed Pironkova.

O'Brien was a break up in the first set before taking it 8-6 in a tie-break and then squandered a 4-1 lead in the second to allow her Bulgarian opponent to level.

But the Yorkshirewoman regained her advantage at the start of the third and this time there was to be no comeback from Pironkova, who at 44th in the world rankings is 106 places above O'Brien.

She will face Russia's Vera Dushevina in the second round in Portoroz.