W/C 24th June The Championships, Wimbledon

Elena Baltacha (GBR) vs Elena Likhovtseva (RUS)

4-6, 6-7 (2-7)

Played on court two, this was a very close re-match of the 2nd round of qualifying from Eastbourne 2002. Bally unfortunately lost her serve in the first game of the match, and was unable to recover, losing it 6-4.

The second set was a much closer, tense affair. Despite leading 3-0 and 4-1, Bally surprisingly lost her serve twice to trail 5-6. With Likhovtseva serving for the match, however, Bally was able to break back and force the set into a tie-break.

With a couple of suspect line calls against her, Bally was forced to concede the tie-break 2-7, and the experienced Russian moved into round 4. However, she had demonstrated her abilities to all in both this match, and the win over South African Amanda Coetzer.

Elena Baltacha (GBR) vs Amanda Coetzer (RSA) (32)

5-7, 6-4, 6-2

In a fantastic performance, Elena hit back from losing the first set 7-5, to win a fantastic match against Amanda Coetzer 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Roared on by an adoring Court Three crowd, Elena hit winner after winner to force the South African no. 32 seed into defeat.

This set up a re-match against Elena Likhovtseva of Russia, whom Elena lost to in the 2nd round of qualifying at Eastbourne.

Other recent results:

Wimbledon
vs Maria Vento-Kabchi (VEN) Won 6-4, 6-4

Britannic Asset Management Championships, Qualifying
vs Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) Lost 6-7(5-7), 5-7

vs Alina Jidkova (RUS) Won 6-4, 6-7(4-7), 6-3

$25,000 Challenger, Surbiton
vs Janet Lee (TPE) Lost 6-7 (5-7) 4-6