General / Editor / 22 March 2007 /

Emerging star Michelle Larcher de Brito upset seasoned campaigner Meghann Shaughnessy at the Sony Ericsson Open to set up a showdown with Indian Wells champion Daniela Hantuchova.

At just 14 years of age, Brito showed tremendous fighting qualities to hold on for a 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7/3) first-round upset and become the female Portuguese player to make the main draw of a Tier I event
"I just went out there and just tried my best," Brito said.

"It wasn't going to be an easy match but I played my best. I was really nervous."

Brito is ranked 64th in the juniors ladder and knows she faces a tough ask in getting past Hantuchova, who last week ended a five-year victory drought by winning at Indian Wells for the second time.

"I have watched her play a couple times but I don't know much about her," Brito added about Hantuchova.
"I'll just go out there and play my best and just have fun with it. I'm excited to play her."

Hantuchova is the 1.04 favourite to avoid a potential banana skin and end Brito's dream, with the youngster trading at 15.5 to take the prized scalp of the Monaco-based Slovakian.

Hantuchova is also trading at 34 to follow up her Indian Wells success with glory in Miami, where Justine Henin is the 4.2 market leader.

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