Keothavong trounced by Errani

British number one Anne Keothavong failed to emulate Heather Watson as she crashed out of Wimbledon in the second round to French Open finalist Sara Errani.

Watson became the first British woman in 10 years to reach the third round on Wednesday when she beat Jamie Hampton, and she could yet overtake Keothavong in the rankings if she upsets third seed Agnieszka Radwanska on Friday.

Errani is having by far the best season of her career but is much more at home on clay than grass, and there was some optimism Keothavong might be able to push her.

However, the 28-year-old began very nervously, with a second serve in the opening game that was closer to the baseline than the service line, and she did not get on the scoreboard until the fifth game.

Errani was playing well, keeping the ball close to the lines and troubling Keothavong with her use of the drop shot - one of the keys to her French Open success.

The second set was slightly less one-sided. Keothavong was broken in the fourth game but had two chances to break straight back, only for Errani to find the line both times.

When the Italian broke again to lead 5-1, it was all but over, and she confidently held serve to triumph 6-1 6-1 and move through to a third-round meeting with Yaroslava Shvedova or Kiki Bertens.

Keothavong at least has the consolation of knowing she will be back at the All England Club in a month's time after being given a wild card for the women's singles at the Olympics.

Keothavong said: "I'm disappointed with my own performance because I know I can play better.

"I didn't challenge her today as much as I would have liked. And to lose in that fashion, it's not particularly pleasing. I just forced it a bit too much. She didn't hit me off the court or anything like that. She was putting the ball in deep, she played some great drop shots. I managed to just hit myself off the court, I guess."