Australian Open, Melbourne
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 17-30 January
Coverage: Watch on BBC TV, Red Button, BBC Sport website (UK only) & Eurosport; listen on BBC 5 live sports extra and online; text commentary online; full details

Petkovic capitalises on Keothavong collapse

Anne Keothavong saw her Australian Open challenge come to an end in the second round after crumbling in the third set against Germany's Andrea Petkovic.

The Briton led by a set and was twice a break up in the second before losing 2-6 7-5 6-0 to the 30th seed.

The German had been hampered by an ankle injury but Keothavong committed errors at key times to hand her opponent the initiative.

Petkovic will now face fourth seed Venus Williams in the third round.

The British number two, who suffered a serious knee injury in 2009, took control early on when she broke to make it 3-2 in the opening set.

She saved two break points in the next game before a controversial line call put her 5-2 ahead with Petkovic angrily insisting that the Briton's crosscourt winner was out.

Keothavong then had to save a further two break points before safely taking the opening set.

Things looked good for the 27-year-old Londoner when she broke twice at the start of the second set, with the German struggling with an ankle problem that required an injury time out.

But each time Petkovic was able to break back with neither player able to stamp her authority on a scrappy game.

Petkovic's ankle was strapped up and she subsequently stepped up her game, with a rasping forehand taking her to a 5-3 lead.

Keothavong gave herself a chance of staying in the set when she broke Petkovic, who was serving to level the match, but she struggled on her own serve once more and the German broke to tie the contest.

The opportunity was there, I just didn't take it today Anne Keothavong

Having been given a scare, Petkovic was far more solid in the deciding set, showing the form which has seen her challenge for a place in the world's top 30.

Keothavong was unable to respond and mistakes started to flood into her game allowing the German to sweep through the set and advance to the next round.

Afterwards the Londoner admitted it was disappointing not have taken the opportunity when it presented itself.

"No doubt I had my chances in this match. For a set and a half I definitely felt I was playing some good tennis," she said.

"I really did what I intended to do out there and took my game to her and was hitting out a bit more.

"But it got close and I felt like I had to win that match in two sets.

"I've played Andrea before. When she's got a bit of momentum and confidence she's a tough player to pin down."

Keothavong felt her chances of victory evaporated when she allowed the German to escape from a tricky situation at 5-5 in the second set having won the first courtesy of a break in the fifth game.

"I think that was a clear turning point. I got myself back from 5-3 down to 5-5, and at 15-30 she just kicked a serve in and I kind of hit a nothing return. It just went into the bottom of the net," she added.

"Had I hit out like I was doing in the first set, who knows what could have happened. But I'm human; I got a little bit tight. The opportunity was there, I just didn't take it today."

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