Elena Baltacha has won her first round singles match at the French Open to join Heather Watson in round two. It will be the first time since 1992 that two British women will contest the French Open second round.
The British number one was impressive as she defeated Sloane Stephens of the USA 7-5, 6-2 in an hour and 23 minutes.
“It was the most satisfying victory of my whole career,” said the elated Briton, who had never previously won a main draw match in the French Open, after the match.
“To be here in the second round is something I’ve got to be really proud of. She’s [Stephens] a very young and upcoming player but I took control of the match, stayed aggressive and am really pleased to get the win.”
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The match started with five straight holds and then four breaks in a row. With Stephens serving first the 18 year old American broke Baltacha twice in the first set to hold a 5-3 lead and see herself serving for the first set.
The Briton then upped her game and reeled off the next four games in a row to recover from 3-5 to take the first set 7-5 after 48 minutes of play.
Baltacha, the world No.83, carried this momentum into the second set and broke the American qualifier again to lead 3-1.
Stephens held to make the score 3-2 in favour of the British No.1 before Baltacha again won four games in a row and took the second set 6-2 in 35 minutes.
In round two Baltacha will play another young American, 22 year old Vania King, who defeated the 22nd seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-2 in a first round match that lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes.
On her next opponent Baltacha said, “I’ve never played her. I actually saw a little bit of the match before I went on. She’s a really good player and plays well on the clay. She’s adapted on the clay quite quickly.
“[My tactics will be] the same: I’m going to go in there, play my game, and just try and suss it as it goes along, again, just fighting for everything. It will be unbelievable if I would be sitting in the third round. That would be amazing.”
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
