• BN Paribas Open

Baltacha through as Keothavong falls to Bacsinszky

ESPN staff
March 7, 2012
Anne Keothavong is heading home early from California © Getty Images
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Britain's No. 1 Elena Baltacha progressed to the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Balatacha was forced to fight back against Arantxa Rus after dropping the first set to ultimately claim a 3-6 6-4 6-3 victory. The 27-year-old was pushed all the way by Rus, saving five break points before taking control of the contest.

After spending over two hours on court in the opening round, Baltacha will now take on 14th seed Julia Goerges.

Anne Keothavong bowed out at the first hurdle as Timea Bacsinszky claimed a 6-4 2-6 7-5 win. Breaks of serve were the order of the day, 14 in all, and it was the Swiss baseliner who progressed.

Keothavong edged herself ahead early in the match, but Bacsinszky got herself level at 4-4 and pressured Keothavong in the 10th game - securing the set at the first time of asking.

The Brit rallied in the second and after breaking through early she dominated to force a decider.

The final set was a tense affair but Keothavong could not exert any pressure on her own serve, her first serve conversion was down at 38%, and it was fitting that Bacsinszky clinched the win with a break of serve.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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