Eurosport - Mon, 31 Aug 14:02:00 2009
Andy Murray will be the only British player competing in the singles at the US Open after Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha were both knocked out of qualifying at the final hurdle.
Fiftten-year-old Robson appeared to be cruising through after leading Czech Eva Hrdinova 4-0 in the deciding set, but a mental collapse by the 2008 Wimbledon Juniors champion saw her give up her advantage and lose in a tie-break.
"I don't know what I was thinking out there," said Robson, who will now play the junior event.
"It got to the point where I forgot to keep breathing. It's pretty hard to play tennis when you can't breathe.
"It's all about experience. Dealing with nerves is something I have to get used to."
Baltacha also looked in control of her destiny. The 26-year-old cruised through her first two qualifying matches for the loss of just seven games, and took the first set 6-4 against Russian world number 139 Anastasia Rodionova.
But Rodionova fought back hard, easing through the final two sets 6-2 6-3 to make it to the starting line in Flushing Meadows.
"You know it was big - one more win and you're into the main draw and they are always kind of the one where, if you lose it, it's going to be hurtful," said Baltacha afterwards.
"I knew going into the match that it was going to be very difficult, I knew that I was going to have to give everything because she is a good player.
"I said before the match that, whatever happens, I'm going to leave everything out there. And I did. I tried very hard. I don't want to say 'ifs and buts' because that's not the way it is.
"I'm gutted, but I think it was a good performance and she was the better player today."
Three other British women also tried to qualify. Katie O'Brien won her opening match but went out to Georgia's Anna Tatishvili, while Mel South and Georgie Stoop both fell at the first hurdle.
Anne Keothavong would have qualified due to her world ranking, but is currently out for several months with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.
Alex Bogdanovic, Josh Goodall, Dan Evans and James Ward tried to qualify for the men's event, but all four lost in their opening matches.
There was better news in the doubles, however, as Britain will have a representative in each of the men's and women's tournaments.
Ross Hutchins, ranked 37 in doubles, will line up alongside regular Australian partner Stephen Huss in the men's event.
And in the women's event, Britain's top-ranked doubles player Sarah Borwell will play with American Jill Craybas.
Watch the US Open LIVE from 7pm on Monday on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe.
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