U.S. Open - Brit Keothavong reaches third round

Eurosport - Thu, 28 Aug 11:09:00 2008

Anne Keothavong became the first British woman to reach the third round of the US Open since 1991 when she knocked out 25th seed Francesca Schiavone with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 win.

2008 US Open Anne Keothavong - 0

By flying the flag for British women's tennis, Keothavong was delighted she will at long last be able to share some of the spotlight with her more celebrated compatriot, men's world number six Andy Murray.

"I guess it's a nice feeling just to get women's tennis out there," the 87th-ranked Keothavong said. "There are women out there who are doing things in British tennis and it's nice to know that it's just not Andy Murray out there.

"It's nice to kind of be with him at these events and share it with him."

By reaching the last 32 of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, Keothavong is showing her career is heading in the right direction.

In June, she was the first home-grown woman to gain direct entry into the Wimbledon draw since 1999 and she is guaranteed to boost her ranking further following her two wins in New York.

"It just took me a little longer than others... but this year it was quite significant for me to finally break into the top 100," said the 24-year-old, who is competing at a Grand Slam other than Wimbledon for the first time in her career.

"Now that that's kind of off my back, I can just look ahead and keep working on other things. I'm not where I want to be because I just want to keep climbing up in the rankings."

Keothavong, beaten by eventual champion Venus Williams in the second round at Wimbledon this year, made a promising start when she broke Schiavone in the opening game of the match.

But the Italian hit back to snare the second set and roared into a 4-2 lead in the decider. Keothavong refused to accept defeat and clawed back to seal victory and a third-round date with Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.

"Before the match, I really believed I had a chance to win, and I knew if I could hang in there and just get stuck in, I'd be in with a good shot," the Briton said.

"Even though I lost my serve and went 4-2 down, I never felt at that point I lost the match. I felt if I just kept fighting and hanging in there, my chance would come and I got there, so I'm pretty pleased about it."

Jo Durie and Sara Gomer were the last British women to reach the last 32 at Flushing Meadows. Durie eventually lost in the fourth round in 1991.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Some of you are totally credulous: she's only in the 3rd round and already you are looking forward to a final against Dementieva!!! Talk about the weight of expectation! Or maybe you brits want someone good-looking and well-mannered to cheer for.

    From James W, on Fri 29 Aug 1:36AM

  2. ANNE WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING IT IS GETTING THE RESULTS..SO KEEP GOING..YOU ARE FLYING THE FLAG..

    From DAVID, on Thu 28 Aug 4:39PM

  3. we admire your enterprise & determination === hope you climb up the rankings

    From startoratora, on Thu 28 Aug 3:11PM

  4. ^^^^^^^ ** CONGRATULATIONS ANNE that was a difficult opponnent to defeat +++ == WELL DONE

    GOLDEN GIRL ENCHANTING ELENA DEMENTIEVA IS NOW FULL OF CONFIDENCE

    so Anne concentrate non stop ? eat 12000 calories !/ like the Olympics Phelps ! -- GOOD LUCK

    From ballerinastar.tutu, on Thu 28 Aug 2:50PM

  5. I think she does have a chance. Dementieva is probably a bit tired after the Olympics, and then straight into a Grand Slam. A-bomb Roddick missed the Olympics on purpose so he would be fresh for Flushing Meadows, and he destroyed his opponent last night.
    If Anne can keep the Russian moving around the court, then perhaps she'll tire her opponent out. GO ANNE...

    From paulb164, on Thu 28 Aug 1:36PM

  6. she will will the us open

    From sidatmo, on Thu 28 Aug 10:35AM

  7. How exciting to see a female British tennis player starting to make a name for herself. Don't know if she can beat Dementieva but at least I hope she makes it a contest.

    From andrewroberts872000, on Thu 28 Aug 10:21AM

  8. fair play to the brit but unfortunately for her this is the end as elena should win comfortably

    From karlgreen92, on Wed 27 Aug 10:40PM

  9. Huge congratulations to Anne. Great to see another Brit doing well. Just a shame we couldn't see her match. Look forward to seeing her against Dementieva. Well done and good luck.

    From lindy_211, on Wed 27 Aug 9:59PM

  10. ^^ BIG CONGRATULATIONS ANNE ~~~ SHE IS NOT AN EASY PLAYER TO DEFEAT `

    CHARMING AFFABLE ELENA DEMENTIEVA WILL GIVE YOU A VERY FAIR CONTEST

    From raymonda222, on Wed 27 Aug 8:18PM
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