• WTA Tour

Baltacha set to re-enter top 50

ESPN staff
October 30, 2011
Elena Baltacha: 'This has definitely been the best year of my career' © Getty Images
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British No. 1 Elena Baltacha is poised to surge back into the world's top 50 - despite suffering defeat in the final of the ITF event in Poitiers on Sunday.

Baltacha lost 7-6(3) 6-4 to Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm, but maintains that 2011 will go down as the best year of her career to date.

She won an ITF tournament in Nottingham during June, and recorded a victory over Julia Goerges, the world No. 21, in August. Her highest career ranking is No. 49, which she attained 13 months ago.

"My big goal for the year was to defend the ranking points I had coming off and keep my ranking up, so to have done that and got back inside the top 50 again feels like a really big achievement," Baltacha said.

"I knew that I would have to improve this year to do that and I've done that. This has definitely been the best year of my career, no question, even better than 2010."

Speaking about Sunday's match, Baltacha said: "She played really, really well today. Her level didn't drop at all, so once she had got back into the first set she really didn't give me many chances.

"I have massive respect for her and what she's achieved. Her level of tennis is still incredibly high and she is still hungry. It showed today."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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