Baltacha moved to a career high world ranking of 62 on Monday

Elena Baltacha is through to the Sony Ericsson Open second round in Miami after beating Iveta Benesova 6-2 6-4.

The British number one was surprised at how easily she saw off the Czech who is currently three places ahead of her in the world rankings at number 59.

"It was quite bizarre that I was off the court that quickly," said Baltacha who is enjoying her best-ever season.

"I just went out there and I was so focused and so in the zone from the first ball to the last ball."

The 26-year-old, who needed to negotiate two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, now faces world number 14 Yanina Wickmayer.

She is hoping for a repeat of her recent victory over China's top 10-ranked Li Na in Indian Wells.

"I like playing the big names. Why not?" said the Scot.

606: DEBATE What do you think of the British women's performances in Miami?

"I'm playing well and I've got all the momentum because I've come through three tough matches in two sets and she hasn't played a match yet.

"I feel very confident. I've got absolutely nothing to lose so I'm just going to go out there and give it to her and see what I can do."

In other matches, a grieving Anne Keothavong made an early exit as she lost in 6-4 6-2 to Austria's Tamira Paszek.

The 26-year-old Londoner admitted that her mind had not been on the match following the death of her grandmother on Tuesday.

"Tennis just didn't seem that important," said the British number three who had led the first set 3-1.

Heather Watson also made her exit from the Florida tournament as she suffered a 6-4 6-2 loss to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.

Keothavong won 27% of points on first serve in the second set

The Guernsey wildcard matched her opponent in the opening set but failed to take the three breakpoint opportunities she created, with Pironkova taking her single chance.

Watson could not match that effort in the second set, and Pironkova will now face world number two Caroline Wozniacki in the second round.

Elsewhere, Justine Henin advanced with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Jill Craybas.

The Belgian former world number one faced eight break points in her match but American Craybas could only take one.

Henin's win sets up a clash with fifth seed Elena Dementieva, who she defeated in an epic second-round tie at the Australian Open in January.

Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm won through to the second round with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 win over Russia's Anna Chakvetadze.

Switzerland's Patty Schnyder also booked her place in the next round, beating Katarina Srebotnik in three sets.

Italy's Sara Errani and France's Alize Cornet both also advanced, along with qualifiers Pauline Parmentier and Sofia Arvidsson.

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