• WTA Tour

Baltacha heading to Eastbourne

ESPN staff
June 9, 2011
Elena Baltacha claimed the scalp of Li Na at Eastbourne last year © Getty Images
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British No. 1 Elena Baltacha's Wimbledon preparations have been given a boost after she was handed a wildcard into the main draw of the AEGON International at Eastbourne.

Baltacha, who is defending her AEGON Trophy title in Nottingham this week, beat the newly-crowned French Open champion Li Na at Eastbourne last year, and with Serena and Venus Williams confirming their participation, Baltacha will have her eyes on another scalp.

"I'm delighted to have the chance to play at the AEGON International," Baltacha said. "It's always nice to come back to a place where you've played well and there's nothing I love more than playing in front of a British crowd.

"This year's player field in Eastbourne is unbelievable and it's fantastic to be part of it. I can't wait to get started."

Baltacha enjoyed a good run of form on the clay, and the world No. 74 believes her first-round victory at the French Open paves the way for futher British success.

Heather Watson, who also reached the second round at Roland Garros, broke into the world's top 100 for the first time this week, and Baltacha is relishing the battle for top spot, as she insists the competition for supremacy within the British ranks is healthy.

"You look at other nations and they've got 10 or 20 really fighting to be number one. But it's all getting better," Baltacha said.

"Me and Heather reached the second round at the French, that hasn't been achieved in many years, and hopefully that will really inspire the juniors, get them to think, 'One day that can be me', and hopefully we'll get more players battling for that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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