• Fed Cup

Double blow to Team GB's Fed Cup hopes

ESPN staff
April 21, 2012
Elena Baltacha was beaten in straight sets by Johanna Larsson © Getty Images
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Great Britain's hopes of returning to the World Group stage suffered a setback after Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong lost their opening rubbers in their Fed Cup tie with Sweden.

It means that Judy Murray's side must win all three of their remaining rubbers on Sunday if they are to secure promotion to the World Group II tier of the competition.

British No. 1 Baltacha failed to recover from a poor start against Johanna Larsson as she fell 6-1 7-5 before Keothavong succumbed to a 6-1 6-4 defeat on a slow indoor court in Boras.

Baltacha failed to hand Team GB an early advantage as she offered little resistance in the opening set, but she rallied in the second before her opponent grabbed a late break to wrap up the match.

Keothavong broke her opponent Sofia Arvidsson in her opening service game, but lost six games on the bounce as the Swede cruised through the opening set. Keothavong put up more of a fight in the second, but was unable to prevent Arvidsson establishing a comfortable lead for the hosts.

Murray will now decide whether to hand an opportunity to youngsters Laura Robson and Heather Watson, or to stick with experience in the shape of Baltacha and Keothavong ahead of Sunday's reverse singles and doubles rubber.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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