• Australian Open, Day Five

Safina ends Baltacha's Australian Open fairytale

Elena Baltacha will move to her highest ever ranking after her results in Melbourne © Getty Images

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Elena Baltacha's impressive run at the Australian Open came to an abrupt end after being overpowered by second seed Dinara Safina in straight sets.

The British No.1 showed great spirit, breaking Safina's serve in the opening set, but the world No.2 was too strong for the Brit ranked 81 places below her, easing to a 6-1 6-2 victory. However, despite the defeat, Baltacha's stunning second-round victory over 30th seed Kataryna Bondarenko will see her move up to her highest rankings in her career.

"It was difficult," Baltacha said. "It was a great experience for me to play the world No 2. All credit to Safina. I think she played really well today. It was difficult because I don't play top 10 every week. I knew for me to get anywhere near her, I'd have to play very, very well and she put a lot of pressure on me out there today, especially on my serve. I knew if I didn't get the first serve in that she would be all over my second serve.

"But I've got to look in a very positive way. I put myself into a great situation. I've made the third round this week. I earned my place on Rod Laver today to play Safina, so I'm really proud of that."

Safina, who cruised to the final last year before being dominated in straight sets by Serena Williams, is still on course to break her Grand Slam duck, and was delighted to continue through to the fourth round. "I am very pleased with my game today," said Safina, who is yet to drop a set in Melbourne.

She will now play the winner of the match between Italian Roberta Vinci and Maria Kirilenko, the Russian having already knocked out former champion Maria Sharapova.

Britain still have high hopes in the women's doubles after Laura Robson eased into the third round on Friday. Aided by Australian partner Sally Peers, Robson celebrated her birthday by upsetting 12th seeds Chia-Jung Chuang and Kveta Peschke 6-3 6-4.

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