Baltacha claimed her first win on clay of 2010 against Cirstea

British number one Elena Baltacha enjoyed a fine win over 2009 French Open quarter-finalist Sorana Cirstea of Romania in Strasbourg.

The 26-year-old Scot came through 6-3 7-5 on the clay against a player ranked 29 places higher at 34 in the world.

Baltacha had lost her only previous match against the 20-year-old Romanian on hard courts three years ago.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova is the top seed in Strasbourg and plays her second-round match on Wednesday.

Cirstea beat Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic on her way to the last eight at Roland Garros last year.

I think that's the biggest thing I'm learning - that I am who I am as a tennis player Elena Baltacha

Baltacha is not generally at her best on clay and the win comes less than a week before the start of the French Open, for which she has direct entry into the main draw.

"It was a really great match and that was the best I've ever felt on clay," she said. "I haven't played since Rome qualies and the extra time on the clay really helped me today.

"I was at the NTC [National Training Centre, Roehampton] and I was able to get decent time on the clay courts there, plus some solid practice here.

"I wasn't sure how I would take to the clay here because it's very wet and slow and to hit a winner you have to really pelt it but it's been really good. My coach told me before the match to play like I was on a hard court and that's what I did. I really took it to her.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Baltacha's win

"I think that's the biggest thing I'm learning - that I am who I am as a tennis player. In Rome I tried to do things I wasn't comfortable with because I thought that's how I should play.

"Today I played my way and made my game work to my advantage because I'm a good enough player to do that. That's an important lesson for Roland Garros."

Baltacha will face Anastasia Rodionova in the next round after the Australian beat Alize Cornet 2-6 6-3 7-5, and the Briton will be looking for revenge after losing to her in the final round of US Open qualifying last year.

"I'm really looking forward to playing Rodionova," said Baltacha. "Our match in New York was pretty feisty and she's a tough nut but it'll just be about the tennis out there. I've got nothing to lose. I'm really, really up for playing her."

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