SARAH Borwell, the Teessider now based in Las Vegas, has climbed another six places up the British order of merit to stand in tenth position with a world ranking of 630.

Since turning professional last summer, the Tennis World Middlesbrough player has overtaken many British professionals who have been competing on the domestic tournament circuit for several years.

These include Amanda Janes, Chantal Coombs and Alice Barnes, as well as improving teenagers.

Borwell, from Nunthorpe, had a notable recent success in the event in Tallahassee, Florida, where she knocked out British number nine Joanne Moore in the second round of qualifying by 6-2, 6-3.

The Warwickshire player has been based in America for several years and has a world ranking of 432.

The Challenger-type tournament had a high standard of entry, including Jane O'Donoghue, the Lancashire teenager who contested Wimbledon last year and is ranked 275.

She stopped any further progress by Borwell - who had beaten American Jennifer Embury 6-4, 6-2 in the first round - winning 7-5, 6-1.

Further valuable ranking points were obtained at the Boca Raton, Florida, event. Wins against Americans Courtney Ulery and Melissa Saintz for the total loss of only three games were followed by a three-set loss to a Russian, Irina Kotkina, which prevented a place in the main draw by 7-6, 6-7, 5-7.

Borwell is expected to visit Australia for four weeks to contest the highly competitive Victoria State circuit and then a masters event. This was the proving ground for Australian star players such as Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis.

The Durham and Cleveland player is currently training at her Las Vegas base, thankful for the sponsorship of a local lawyer and already showing signs that support has been worthwhile.