KEY POINTS:
New Zealand tennis player Leanne Baker is through to the second round in the singles at a US$75,000 event at Midlands, Michigan.
Baker has beaten American wildcard Audra Cohen 6-3, 6-2.
The New Zealand number two came through three qualifying matches to make the main draw, beating the 240th ranked German Angelika Bachmann 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 in the final round.
The Waikato player, who was beaten in the first round of the ASB Classic last month in Auckland, had an entry ranking of 264 and is likely to climb inside the world's top 250 in the rankings following the win.
Top seed for the tournament is the American Jill Craybas, who made the semifinals of the ASB Classic.
- NEWSTALK ZB