Baltacha battles through

British No.1 needs three sets to secure second-round spot

Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Baltacha battles through

Baltacha: Opening round win

Not everything was perfect, but I found a pretty good rhythm and felt I could go a lot to the net and I felt really good on the court, actually.

Justin Henin
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British No.1 Elena Baltacha booked her place in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after a three-set victory over Alexa Glatch.

Baltacha, who came through qualifying to reach the main draw, was forced to fight all the way by the American wildcard before securing a 6-3 6-7 (7-3) 6-4 victory.

Baltacha, though, kept her cool to pounce on a string of errors by Glatch to set up a second-round clash with seventh seed Li Na.

However fellow Brit Anne Keothavong wasted her fast start as she crashed out to Anna Chakvetadze.

Keothavong, who broke into the top-50 before injury ended her challenge last season, had taken the first set in impressive fashion against the Russian before going on to lose 2-6 6-3 6-1.

Former world number one Justine Henin made light work of her return to action with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova.

Glad

Henin has enjoyed a lengthy break since her defeat in the final of the Australian Open - and although she admits there is work still to be done, the Belgian was pleased to be back.

"It was a very good feeling. This is a tournament I like a lot," said Henin, who is playing in only her third tournament since ending her 18-month retirement.

"It's been a break of one month with no competition so I was glad the way I went into the match today.

"Not everything was perfect, but I found a pretty good rhythm and felt I could go a lot to the net and I felt really good on the court, actually."

Alicia Molik joined Henin in the next round after a 6-1 6-3 victory over Tatjana Malek, while American Christina McHale lost out 7-5 6-3 to compatriot Vania King.

And in a busy first day Eleni Daniilidou, Polona Hercog, Kimiko Date Krumm, Tamarine Tanasugarn, Kirsten Flipkens, Olga Govortsova, Sorana Cirstea, Vera Dushevina, Patty Schnyder, Shuai Peng and Virginie Razzano also progressed.