The 18-year-old Scot had to show her battling qualities to come back from behind to win 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Baltacha's victory ensures that she will replace Devon's Lucie Ahl as the British number two.

The teenager had previously defeated Australian qualifier Christina Horiatopoulo 6-2 3-6 6-3 to move into the semi-final.

"I just can't believe what's happened to me in the last couple of weeks," said Baltacha afterwards.

"That was tough out there - I'm mentally exhausted after all the ups and downs I've had recently."

Last month, the Scot reached the third round at Wimbledon with victories over Maria Vento-Kabchi and Amanda Coetzer.

And her coach, Alan Jones, was impressed with her latest progress this summer.

"This week has been educational for Bally," he said.

"Without being too negative, the grass here isn't exactly Eastbourne or Wimbledon, is it?

"She's the sort of player who needs a perfect bounce to play well, but she's had to learn how to be flexible and not just smack the crap out of everything."

Baltacha is the daughter of former Soviet Union, Ipswich Town, St Johnstone and Inverness footballer Sergei, while her mother was also an international athlete.

Brother Sergei plays for Scottish First Division side St Mirren and has played for Scotland Under-21s.