• Wimbledon, Day Two

Baltacha through as Keothavong wins all-British clash

ESPN staff
June 21, 2011
Anne Keothavong beat Naomi Broady in the all-British clash © Getty Images
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British No. 1 Elena Baltacha put the disappointment of last year's Wimbledon firmly behind her as she sailed into the second round at the All England Club on Tuesday.

Baltacha threw away a first-set lead against Croatian teenager Petra Martic last year, but the British fans had plenty to cheer about as the world No. 68 romped to victory over Mona Barthel. Baltacha held her nerve to stave off three break points late in the second set to seal a 6-2 6-4 victory.

The British women all failed to win a single match last year, but Baltacha joined Anne Keothavong in the second round after the British No. 3 won the all-British first-round battle against Naomi Broady.

Keothavong has played at Wimbledon every year since 2001, but reached the second round for only the third time at the All England Club after claiming a 6-2 6-4 victory. After an edgy start, it was Keothavong who claimed first blood, snatching a break of serve in the fifth game with a passing shot down the line.

Keothavong suffered a complete meltdown at last year's Wimbledon, throwing away a 4-0 final-set lead before collapsing to defeat to Australia's Anastasia Rodionova. She was determined to avoid a similar defeat this year and, after making the initial breakthough, continued to press to secure a double break.

In a mirror image of the opening set, Keothavong broke in the fifth game to tighten her grip on the match, and the single break proved decisive as she sealed a second-round clash with last year's semi-finalist Petra Kvitova, who beat Alexa Glatch 6-2 6-2.

Emily Webley-Smith's interest in the championships ended at the first round stage, as the Brit battled valiantly but found Klara Zakopalova too strong - losing 6-3 5-7 8-6.

Former girls' champion Laura Robson and British No. 2 Heather Watson will have to wait until Wednesday to begin their campaigns, after their matches were postponed as organisers struggled to deal with the scheduling backlash following Monday's heavy rain.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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