Celine Simunyu targets top 100 after historic WTA appearance

Celine Simunyu has targeted breaking into the world top 100 after becoming the first Irish tennis player to receive a wild-card entry to a top-tier WTA event.

The 19-year-old, currently ranked 633, was beaten 6-0 6-3 by world No 61 Cristina Bucsa in qualifying for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships today.

Simunyu, who represented Ireland in the Billie Jean King Cup as a 16-year-old, said: "It was so exciting to come and play in Dubai. The overall experience was great."

"It was a proud moment representing my country and making history.

"This is just the start. My target is to get into the women’s top 100. I am working very hard towards this target and hope to achieve it in the near future."