British No.1, Ipswich-based Elena Baltacha battled from a set and a break down to defeat talented Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus (ranked 98) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
Baltacha progressed yesterday afternoon local time and now faces 14th seed Julia G�rges of Germany, ranked 15 in the world, in the second round.
“Today’s been a really good win for me and I really needed that,” said Baltacha.
“I felt really good after the first set. She gave me an opportunity, I took it and after that I really felt like I was mixing everything up and I felt comfortable.
“In the third set I went 0-2 down but I still felt like I could win the match and I ended up winning the next five games.
“When my coach Nino came onto the court he told me to fight, just fight and that’s what I always try to do. You’re never out until you lose the last point.”
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