No. 3 Seed Benjamin Upset by Tell

SAN DIEGO — Eileen Tell, a last-minute replacement for Kate Gompert, upset third-seeded Camille Benjamin 6-2, 7-5 Monday as the $75,000 Virginia Slims of San Diego women’s professional tournament opened play at the San Diego Hilton Beach and Tennis Resort.

Tell’s victory moves her into second-round play against 22-year-old Hu Na, who downed Maeve Quinlan, 6-2, 7-5, in another first-round match Monday. In other first-round matches of the week long tournament, fifth-seeded Ann Henricksson knocked off Kathleen Cummings, 6-2, 6-2; eighth-seeded Beth Herr defeated Lisa Spain-Short, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1; Betsy Nagleson eliminated Corinne Vanier, 6-3, 6-1; Melissa Gurney took care of Del Mar’s Terry Holladay, 6-4, 6-3; and Mary Lou Piatek beat Pat Medrado, 6-2, 6-4.

San Diego State star Linda Howell, who defeated Jill Davis, 6-3, 6-4, in a qualifying match, earned the right to face Sandy Colline in a first-round match today.