• BNP Paribas Open

Baltacha qualifies for Indian Wells

ESPN staff
March 9, 2010
Elena Baltacha had to stretch to qualify for Indian Wells © Getty Images
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British No.1 Elena Baltacha cruised past Ekaterina Bychkova 6-3 6-4 to qualify for the main stages of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California.

After coming through a major scare in the first qualifying stage on Monday, Baltacha had a much easier time in the second and final match, although she took an hour and 49 minutes to wrap up what wasn't her most efficient victory.

Baltacha was broken twice as her serve was once again more target than weapon, as 109-ranked Bychkova created ten break point opportunities throughout the match. Baltacha created just seven but she was able to convert four - two more than the Russian.

She will now face American wildcard Alexa Glatch in the first round, and after her impressive run at the Australian Open in January, where she reached the third round before falling to world No. 2 Dinara Safina, Baltacha was confident of repeating her successes on the hard courts at Indian Wells.

"It's fantastic," she said. "This year already it's the third WTA event that I've qualified for so I'm really pleased. I'm looking forward to playing Glatch. I've never played here before but I've had two matches already on these courts and I'm ready to get another win."

Baltacha is now one of a dozen qualifiers in the 96-player main field, in which the top seeds get a bye into the second round. Most of the world's top players from the men's and women's games have descended on Indian Wells for the prestigious tournament, which is among those holding the highest value outside Grand Slams.

In other qualifiers, there was no luck for No.74 Tamarine Tanasugarn as she lost 6-3 6-1 to Nuria Llagostera Vives, while Petra Martic also struggled but came from behind to beat Michaella Krajicek 2-6 6-2 6-1.

Karolina Sprem took out Rossana De Los Rios with a 6-4 6-1 win, and pleasing the locals was 747-ranked Sloane Stephens, who beat top-100 player Arantxa Parra Santoja 6-1 6-3 to seal a place in the main draw.

In the men's first round of qualifying matches, Denis Istomin was forced to retire hurt while a set and 3-1 down to Bobby Reynolds. The declining Sebastien Grosjean fell at the first hurdle, losing 6-3 7-6 to South African Kevin Anderson, while Rainer Schuettler has a chance to make the main draw after taking out American Alex Bogomolov Jr 6-4 6-3.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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