Elena Baltacha has made it through round one of the AEGON International at Eastbourne after Chinese player Na Li retired with a knee injury midway through their match.
Baltacha later said about Li: “I’ve seen her at tournaments before after she’s done well somewhere else. I was hoping she was tired and maybe had a bit of a niggle.
“Obviously it’s really unfortunate for her, she was obviously struggling with her knee. I knew I had to push her really hard in that first set, and I tried so hard to show I was up for a fight.”
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Baltacha will now go on to play another Chinese player, Jie Zheng.
“I played Jie Zheng at Wimbledon a couple of years ago, it was the year she made semi’s. I have nothing to lose. The line-up here is so strong that this week is about having a pop, everything’s a bonus, you never know, you might pull off another surprise.”
Guernsey born Heather Watson has also reached the second round of the AEGON International, after beating the world No.48 Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 6-3, 6-2.
18 year-old Watson, ranked World No. 344, has now won four matches in the past four days.
She commented afterwards: “I’m so happy to win today. I was really happy to get through qualifying but I didn’t want to stop there. She’s a very good player and also came through three qualifying matches so I knew I’d have to work hard.
Watson’s next opponent is Azarenka of Belarus.
Watson added: “I’ve got a big player next round. She’s very experienced and I’ll give it my all. I’ve just been playing so well and it has made me really happy, and it shows me that I can compete with these girls.
Chloe Hibbert, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: (c)iStockphoto.com
