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Friday, 8 June, 2001, 14:34 GMT 15:34 UK
Baltacha's dream is over
Brandi was just too good for Baltacha
Brandi was just too good for Baltacha
Scots teenager Elena Baltacha's impressive run finally came to an end in the semi-finals of the Powder Byrne Trophy in Surbiton on Friday afternoon.

The 17-year-old had not dropped a set in the first three rounds of the event as she notched victories over players ranked more than 250 places above her in the world.

But top seed Kristina Brandi, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, proved too good for the youngster as she triumphed 6-2 6-2 in 46 minutes.

Baltacha was disappointed to have missed out on the final but had the consolation of knowing her ranking would probably improved to around 275 in the world after this week.

Unforced errors

"I felt she made me rush on court and the whole match went really quickly," Baltacha said.

"I didn't serve as well as in the other matches but I've had a brilliant week, beating three class players and playing really well so I can't complain.

"I have learnt a lot about myself as a player. I've learnt there is a lot to work on and it's not going to be easy. But getting to the semi-finals of such a big tournament is not too bad."

Baltacha probably made more unforced errors in the match than she had done all week, three mistakes and a double fault causing her to lose her opening service game and she quickly fell 4-1 behind.

The next two games went with serve before she was broken again to love with four more errors and the pattern was repeated at the start of the second set, another double fault in her opening service game allowing American Brandi to open up a 4-1 lead.

Baltacha, currently ranked 359, briefly threatened to make a fight of it when she broke the world number 41's serve to stay in the match but she promptly lost her own serve again and with it the match.

Brandi will play unseeded Rika Fujiwara of Japan in the final after she defeated eighth seed Janet Lee of Taipei 6-4 5-7 6-4.

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See also:

07 Jun 01 |  Tennis
Baltacha in career-best win
05 Jun 01 |  Scotland
Baltacha beats sixth seed
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