Lucy Brown continued her rise with a superb semi-final place in the ITF Women’s tennis circuit tournament in Bath last week, writes MARK EDWARDS.

The 18-year-old, from Elsfield, has made great strides advancing from the junior circuit at the beginning of the year to concentrate on the women’s tour.

Brown had to win two rounds of qualifying in order to reach the main draw.

A 6-1, 6-0 first-round qualifying victory was followed by a thrilling 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) secon-round victory against American Tori Kinard.

In the main draw, Brown met fellow Brit Manisha Foster in the first round, winning 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-5 after a three-hour marathon.

She then beat eighth seed Stephanie Vongsouthi, from France, 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-2.

Another three-set marathon in the last eight saw her see off Estonia’s Margit Ruutel 6-7 (7-4), 6-2, 7-5. Incredibly, the first set lasted for more than an hour and three quarters.

Her efforts were to take their toll, however, and in the semi-final, she could not cope with Marta Sirotkina.

The Russian had dropped no more than three games in any match, and saw off an injured Brown – she received treatement throughout the match on her left thigh – 6-1, 6-4.

As a result, Brown is 879 in the world rankings, having climbed 95 places.