• Australian Open

Baltacha stuns Bondarenko to reach third round

ESPN staff
January 20, 2010
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Elena Baltacha is enjoying her best run at the Australian Open since 2005 © Getty Images
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Britain's Elena Baltacha produced a confident display to beat 30th seed Kataryna Bondarenko in straight sets to set up a third-round tie with world No.2 Dinara Safina.

The British No.1 recovered from 3-0 down in the second set to beat the Ukrainian 6-2 7-5. After rising to a career-high 83rd in the world rankings earlier this month, Baltacha is certain climb even further in the rankings after reaching the third round for just the second time in her career.

"I feel good. No, I feel fantastic," said Baltacha. "I knew I had to play well, and I went out with a game plan to attack. Now I have got nothing to lose against Safina. I know she is a good player, but she has had her blips recently. I have a day off to recharge and then I'm going to go for it again."

It was not to be another British fairytale however, as Katie O'Brien lost to eighth seed Jelena Jankovic in straight sets 6-2 6-2.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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