Tennis: Teenager topples two seeds

ALEXANDRA STEVENSON stands on the threshold of a procession that could take her marching through the world rankings after graduating from high school.

The talented Californian has watched her fellow Americans Venus and Serena Williams reach the top of the sport as she completed her studies. But after finishing her exams, the 18-year-old is now beginning to emulate their success.

Stevenson, ranked 114th in the world, brushed aside the third-seed Dominique Van Roost in round two of the DFS Classic at Edgbaston's Priory Club then beat the 12th seed, Anne-Gaelle Sidot, 6-3, 5-7, 8-6.

Stevenson said: "I made it over a wall out there. You know when you're working out and you hit a wall, well, I jumped that wall. I got down and got dirty and fought really hard to come back and win."

The young American will play sixth seed Magui Serna in the quarter finals. Serna, who refused a request to play doubles with Stevenson in the DFS Classic, beat Tamarine Tanasugarn in round three.

The winner of Stevenson and Serna could face top seed Nathalie Tauziat in the semi-final.