• US Open

Baltacha gunning for revenge

ESPN staff
August 27, 2010
Elena Baltacha was beaten by Petra Martic in the first round at Wimbledon © Getty Images
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Elena Baltacha will have revenge on her mind when she makes her US Open debut next week.

The British No. 1 is in the main draw for the first time and will play Croatia's Petra Martic in the opening round, in a repeat of the first-round clash at Wimbledon in June. Baltacha was a set and 5-3 up in the second but lost 2-6 7-5 6-3, and she is determined to atone for that disappointment at the All England Club.

"It's funny how things work out because I played her at Wimbledon, when I got myself into a winning position only to lose the match because the occasion got to me," Baltacha said in her BBC blog.

"That was a really tough defeat to swallow and so I'm really glad that I've been given the chance to get some revenge. I'm not daft enough to take Martic lightly because I know better than anyone how dangerous she can be, but I do believe it's a match I can win if I play well."

After failing to qualify from seven attempts, Baltacha, the world No. 54, has earned her place in the main draw by right, and she now has her sights set on breaking into the world's top 50.

"It's the first time in my career that I have been ranked high enough to get directly into the main draw," she said. "I lost in the final round of qualifying the last two years - and I am determined to enjoy every moment of it.

"I feel like the top 50 is within my reach if I perform well here in New York and then build on that for the rest of the season. I've come a long way and it's great that I've got my ranking high enough to be able to make the main draw of all four Grand Slams this year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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