Tennis

Mary Pierce, of France, yesterday beat Monica Seles, the World No 3, for the first time in her career to send the top-seeded American out of the Italian Open in Rome.

Sam Smith, the 25-year-old British women's No 1, and Julie Pullin, the 22-year-old National champion, have been given wild cards for the Welsh International Open at Cardiff from 13 to 18 May .