Brits Strike Big at Danish Open
Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong both slipped into the second round at the Danish Open, beating out Marina Erakovic and Sofia Arvidsson respectively in the process. Baltacha and Keothavong, both British women, were exhilarated to represent their home country with success at the Danish Open in Copenhagen. They will vie to go deeper into the rounds during the following week.
Keothavong beat out Swede Sofia Arvidsson in a three set 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory, while Baltacha defeated Marina Erakovic of New Zealand with a final tally of 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Baltacha faced a tough hurdle against Erakovic in the opening set of the first round match at the Danish Open, with Erakovic taking the lead to claim the first set 6-3. However, Baltacha retaliated with a fierce comeback in the second set, not letting up her lead until taking home the match. Currently ranked as the number one British women’s player, Baltacha is now up against China’s Li Na in round two. The Chinese Li Na defeated Kristyna Pliskova 7-6, (7-5) 6-3 to secure herself a second round spot against Baltacha.
Keothavong upsets and impresses
Seeing that Keothavong is currently ranked only as the world number 155, while maintaining the number three spot among British players, her win against Arvidsson, who is the world number 62, is a definite upset. The Brit gave it her absolute best, breaking the Swede on six occasions, while hammering out six aces in the process, despite a mediocre 1-6 showing in the opening set.
26-year-old Keothavong is now set to face Polona Hercog of Slovenia in the second round. She will enter the match with a boost of confidence from her win over Arvidsson.
Early fail turns into victory
Baltacha was visibly excited at her win against Erakovic, having had a hard time to break into the lead in the opening set.
"I didn't start very well and felt I only got going in the middle of the second set," she said. "By the third set I felt much more comfortable and really stepped it up."
Easy to beat Li
Baltacha is admittedly looking forward to facing off against Li, having beat her in Indian Wells recently this season at the BNP Paribas Open.
Both Baltacha and Keothavong are vying for a strong showing at the Danish Open, in hopes of firing up national pride towards the sport among Britons.
"It'll be our fourth meeting and I have absolutely nothing to lose and it all to gain," Baltacha claimed. "I know I will have to play my best tennis to give myself a chance of causing an upset."
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