KEY POINTS:
New Zealander Leanne Baker lost in the second round of a $US50,000 ($NZ73,056) tennis tournament at St Paul, Minnesota today, going down to former top-30 ranked Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico 4-6 1-6.
However, the Waikato player will still see her world singles ranking improve from its current career-high of 262.
Elsewhere, compatriot Ellen Barry and her British playing partner Jade Curtis lost their doubles semifinal at the $US25,000 clay court Challenger tournament in Melbourne Canterbury.
They lost 5-7 6-7 to Hsuan Huang of Taiwan and and Ye Ra Lee of Korea.
In doubles at the $US15,000 Futures event at Wollongong, Dan King Turner and American partner James James Cerretani lost their semifinal to Americans Alberto Francis and Troy Hahn 6-4 4-6 6-4.
- NZPA