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Keothavong beaten by Hantuchova

Anne Keothavong could not repel the threat of Daniela Hantuchova © Getty Images

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Anne Keothavong found Daniela Hantuchova too tough an obstacle to overcome, as the Brit slipped to a 6-4 6-2 defeat in the first round of the AEGON International in Eastbourne.

Hantuchova is among the elite of the women's game, having been as high as five in the world at one stage, and she held too many guns for Keothavong.

It could have been different as Keothavong fought back from 5-2 to 5-4 in the first set, only to surrender her serve at the vital moment.

Hantuchova broke at the start of the second set to threaten a landslide, but Keothavong showed real quality to break back. The revival was short lived as Keothavong came under pressure in the sixth game and lost her serve after saving a host of break points. Hantuchova demonstrated her class by breaking Keothavong once again to wrap up the win.

Heather Watson continued her fine run in qualifying, as a 6-1 1-6 6-1 win over Bojana Jovanovski took her into the first round of in Eastbourne.

Watson edged out world No. 81 Tsvetana Pironkova on Sunday and followed up that win with a topsy-turvy success against Jovanovski. Watson looked on course for a quick victory when racing through the first set courtesy of three breaks of serve. However, the complexion changed in the second set as Watson's serve crumbled. Her Serbian opponent broke on four occasions to force a decider, but the Briton regrouped in the third set.

Jovanovski won just 33% of points on her first serve in the final set as Watson broke on four occasions to wrap up the match in 97 minutes.

French Open finalist Sam Stosur was given a tough test by Melanie Oudin, but booked her place in the second round with a 6-4 6-4 win, while Marion Bartoli eased past Vera Dushevina.

Justine Henin is putting the finishing touches to her Wimbledon preparations at the Unicef Open and the No. 1 seed made a fine start with a comfortable 6-4 6-2 win over Angelique Kerber.

Ana Ivanovic battled back from the loss of the first set to race into the second round with a 4-6 6-0 6-1 win over Sofia Arvidsson. No. 3 seed Maria Kirilenko eased past Ioana Olaru, but sixth seed Sara Errani was beaten 6-1 6-3 by Sybille Bammer.

Arantxa Rus thrilled the home crowd in Netherlands with a 4-6 6-2 6-3 win over No. 8 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, while the fifth seed Alexandra Dulgheru needed three sets to edge out Julie Coin.

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