Baltacha won the biggest title of her career in the United States in February

British number one Elena Baltacha beat Ekaterina Bychkova to qualify for the main draw of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.

Baltacha played well throughout to secure a 6-3 6-4 win over the Russian.

The Scot will play American wildcard Alexa Glatch, who is ranked almost 100 places beneath her, on Wednesday.

Anne Keothavong, 26, will face Russia's Anna Chakvetadze in round one, while world number four Andy Murray has a first-round bye in the men's event.

Baltacha was the highest seed in the qualifying draw and the world number 65 continued her fine start to the season by securing one of the 12 qualifying spots for the main draw.

606: DEBATE How do you think Baltacha and Keothavong will fare in Indian Wells?

The 26-year-old, who will play seventh seed Li Na if she beats Glatch, said: "This year already it's the third WTA event that I've qualified for so I'm really pleased.

"I've never played Glatch before but I've had two matches already on these courts and I'm ready to get another win."

After qualifying for the main draw of two WTA Tour events in January, Suffolk-based Baltacha reached the third round of the Australian Open and then won the biggest title of her career at the Dow Corning Classic in Midland, United States, in February.

Britain's number three Keothavong, who has only just recovered from a serious knee injury, will be looking to build on her semi-final appearance in Memphis in February.

Murray, the fourth seed, will meet either Robby Ginepri or Andreas Seppi in the second round.

Third seed Rafael Nadal is the defending champion, while world number one Roger Federer will be looking to reach the final for the first time since 2006. They also have first-round byes.

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova is the top women's seed, but two-time winner Kim Clijsters and fellow Belgian Justine Henin, making her first appearance in the tournament for four years, will offer stiff opposition.

Vera Zvonareva, the reigning women's champion, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova are also among the leading players competing.

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