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Elena Baltacha and Justine Henin win California openers

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Interview - British number one Elena Baltacha

Elena Baltacha defeated wildcard Alexa Glatch to reach the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The world number 65 edged past the American 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 to set up a clash with China's seventh seed Li Na.

Fellow Brit Anne Keothavong was beaten for the fourth time by Russia's Anna Chakvetadze, losing 2-6 6-3 6-1.

Former world number one Justine Henin, playing in her first match since reaching the Australian Open final, beat Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2 6-2.

The 27-year-old Belgian, who retired from the game in May 2008 but returned to the tour at the beginning of this year, is unseeded at the California event.

But she made short work of her Slovakian opponent, winning 20 of 26 first-serve points and saving the four break points against her in the 68-minute match.

I am shocked how I played. It was pretty bad

Elena Baltacha

"It was a very good feeling. This is a tournament I like a lot," said Henin who won the Indian Wells event in 2004.

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

"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."

Henin, who will meet Argentina's Gisela Dulko in round two, added: "In Australia I proved to myself that I could make it, that I didn't really need a lot of competition to be at a pretty good level.

"But I see further than that. For the French Open and Wimbledon I hope I can be at my best level."

British number one Baltacha conceded that she was fortunate to come through her first-round match.

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"I am honestly just quite shocked how I played," she admitted.

"I honestly felt it was pretty bad but a win is a win and I'll take it. What is really important is winning matches when you're not playing well.

"I played Li in Eastbourne and lost 6-2 7-5, but even in the first set I had opportunities.

"I've got nothing to lose. It's always nice to be the underdog, just to go out there and swing freely."

Keothavong, who faded after winning the first set against Chakvetadze, said: "She raised her game and was too good off the ground and played like the top 10 player she once was."



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see also
Baltacha qualifies for California
10 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Baltacha targets top 50 ranking
05 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Keothavong beaten in Memphis semi
20 Feb 10 |  Tennis
Baltacha moves up to 64 in world
02 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Baltacha victorious in Michigan
15 Feb 10 |  Tennis
Baltacha takes British top spot
30 Nov 09 |  Tennis
Baltacha falls to powerful Safina
22 Jan 10 |  Tennis


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